Comparative dissolution studies of rectal formulations using the basket, the paddle and the flow-through methods: II. Ibuprofen in suppositories of both hydrophilic and lipophilic types

Abstract

The applicabilities of the paddle, basket and flow-through methods have been investigated for four different rectal compositions of both hydrophilic and lipophilic types containing ibuprofen. The formulations were studied with respect to in vitro dissolution rate and behaviour in the different apparatus. The reproducibility of the three techniques was also tested by using a hydrophilic and a lipophilic composition. None of the techniques appeared to be more applicable than the others for the compositions tested, though the dissolving suppositories are less sensitive to the technique used than the melting ones. It has been found necessary to consider the behaviour of the product, with regard to its composition and the in vitro method used, when judging the applicability of a dissolution test for a rectal dosage system. Comparison to our previous data on paracetamol also shows that the physical-chemical properties of the drug substance are of great importance, and must be considered, when the judgement of applicability is made. © 1994.