Enhanced oral bioavailability of antiinflammatory drug flurbiprofen in rabbits by tri-O-methyl-beta-cyclodextrin complexation.

Inclusion complex of antiinflammatory drug flurbiprofen with tri-O-methyl-beta-cyclodextrin in 1:1 molar ratio was prepared, and its dissolution and absorption characteristics were compared with those of flurbiprofen. The apparent dissolution rate of flurbiprofen in water was significantly increased by the inclusion complexation. The serum level of flurbiprofen following the oral administration of the complex to rabbits was higher than that of the drug alone. The enhanced bioavailability of flurbiprofen suggests the possible utility of tri-O-methyl-beta-cyclodextrin in pharmaceutical formulation.