Bioavailability of ibuprofen from matrix mini-tablets based on a mixture of starch and microcrystalline wax

The bioavailability of ibuprofen from matrix mini-tablets based on microcrystalline wax and a starch derivative was tested. An oral dose of 300 mg of ibuprofen was administered to healthy volunteers ( n=8) in a randomized cross-over study design either as a commercial matrix formulation (Ibu-Slow ® 600) or as mini-tablets (filled into hard gelatin capsules). The mini-tablets consisted of 60% ibuprofen, 15% Paracera ® M (wax), 22.5% DDWM (starch) and 2.5% triacetin (lubricant). t 50% of the in vitro release was 4.5 and 5 h for the mini-tablet and Ibu-slow ® formulations, respectively. Both formulations behaved in vivo as sustained-release formulation; their HVD t50% Cmax value was determined at 5.6 and 5.1 h for the mini-tablet and Ibu-slow ® formulations, respectively. A significantly higher value of C max was seen for the mini-tablet formulation, resulting in a relative bioavailability of 116±22.6% compared to the Ibu-slow ® matrix. These data demonstrate that the experimental mini-tablets can be used to formulate sustained-release dosage forms.