Delivery of ibuprofen to the skin.
Ibuprofen (IBU) has been available as a topical skin preparation for more than two decades. Its primary indication is for the relief of pain and inflammation in rheumatic disease and other musculoskeletal conditions. This article reviews the various formulation strategies which have been investigated for percutaneous IBU delivery to date. The focus is on studies which have been conducted with IBU in the free base form on human or porcine skin as data from other species are known to overestimate likely permeation in man. Emerging technologies for enhanced dermal delivery of IBU are considered including methods which require physical disruption of the membrane. The role of biophysical techniques such as Confocal Raman Spectroscopy in the rational development of IBU formulations is also discussed.
Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom.
Avnish
A
Patel
Michael
M
Bell
Clare
C
O'Connor
Andrew
A
Inchley
Judata
J
Wibawa
Majella E
ME
Lane
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012869:Skin Absorption
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007052:Ibuprofen
Formulation; Ibuprofen; Skin; Skin penetration enhancers; Topical