title: Design and characterization of sustained release ketoprofen entrapped carnauba wax microparticles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ketoprofen is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases and in mild to moderate pain. Ketoprofen has a short biological half-life and the commercially available conventional release formulations require dosages to be administered at least 2-3 times a day. Due to these characteristics, ketoprofen is a good candidate for the preparation of controlled release formulations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this work, a multiparticulate-sustained release dosage form containing ketoprofen in a carnauba wax matrix was developed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Particles were prepared by an emulsion congealing technique. System variables were optimized using fractional factorial and response surface experimental design. Characterization of the particles included size and morphology, flow rate, drug loading and in vitro drug release.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spherical particles were obtained with high drug load and sustained drug release profile. The optimized particles had an average diameter of approximately 200 µm, 50% (w/w) drug load, good flow properties and prolonged ketoprofen release for more than 24 h.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carnauba wax microspheres prepared in this work represent a new multiparticulate-sustained release system for the NSAID ketoprofen, exhibiting good potential for application in further pharmaceutical processes.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology and Drug Delivery Systems, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodinelli B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Thais L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Eliana M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Lima
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004655:Emulsions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D006207:Half-Life; D007660:Ketoprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size; D014885:Waxes / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004655:Emulsions; D014885:Waxes; D007660:Ketoprofen; C026344:carnauba wax