In vitro dissolution test of ketoprofene: development and evaluation of release from soft and hard gelatine capsules

Ketoprofen belongs to a group of widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is found in several doses and various forms of medications. Therapeutic efficacy is related to the rate of release of the active substances, which depends on the formulation, the quality of the constituent substances and solubility. In order to determine the efficacy of drug products containing ketoprofen available on the pharmaceutical market in Poland, studies comparing the release profiles of the active substance contained in specific formulation and doses, Ketokaps MAX, 50 mg, soft capsules, Ketonal Active, 50 mg, hard capsules, Ketokaps MED, 100 mg, soft capsules, Refastin, 100 mg, film-coated tablets and Ketonal Forte, 100 mg, film-coated tablets have been conducted. Drug release has been tested using FaSSGF and FaSSIF bioequivalent media in a type IV flow apparatus. The results indicate that the product Ketokaps MAX, 50 mg has a shorter release time of ketoprofen and a faster reached maximum concentration of the released active substance than the market product Ketonal Active, 50 mg. The same outcomes will be achieved by the product Ketokaps MED, 100 mg compared to the market products Refastin, 100 mg and Ketonal Forte, 100 mg. In vitro studies confirm that the tested products differ noticeably in the kinetics of release of the active substance. Ketokaps MAX, 50 mg and Ketokaps MED, 100 mg achieve c max in a shorter time.