Comparison of dissolution rates of ibuprofen tablets

Abstract

Abstract The dissolution profiles of 600mg ibuprofen tablets from four manufacturers have been compared with those of Boots's Brufen. The latter showed rapid dissolution in phosphate buffer pH 7.2 (the USP method) such that 50 per cent was dissolved in 3.9 ± 0.9 min and 90 per cent in 7.7 ± 1.9 min. Tablets from one manufacturer showed similar dissolution characteristics to those of Boots while the other manufacturers' products dissolved more slowly. Five out of 48 tablets from one manufacturer did not achieve the USP specification of 70 per cent dissolved by 30 min. Differences in dissolution rates have been shown to affect speed of action in some products. A study is required to determine the analgesic properties of ibuprofen tablets that dissolve at different rates.