In-vitro evaluation of sustained release ibuprofen microspheres.

Microspheres for oral use have been employed to target and to sustain the release of the drug. The objective of this study was to use the melt dispersion technique and aqueous vehicle to entrap ibuprofen into wax carrier (carnauba wax) with the aid of surfactant (Pluronic L-62). The effects of different levels of Pluronic L-62, stirring speed, and ibuprofen levels, as well as the in-vitro release rate of ibuprofen were evaluated. The in-vitro dissolution of ibuprofen in phosphate buffer pH 7.2 showed that microspheres prepared with low amount of drug (1.5 g) released 58.1% of ibuprofen after 6 hours, while microspheres prepared with high amount of drug (6.0 g) released only 38.9% of ibuprofen. Microsphere formulations prepared by using aqueous vehicle were spherical and of smooth surface. In general the melt dispersion technique was a successful method for preparing sustained release ibuprofen microspheres.