PEDIATRIC IBUPROFEN COMPOSITIONS

Abstract: A pediatric ibuprofen composition is provided wherein the ibuprofen remains in suspension and wherein the bitter taste of ibuprofen is masked, the primary suspending agents being xanthan gum, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate, and the primary taste masking agents being sucrose and sorbitol solution.

Description: This invention relates to a pediatric ibuprofen composition wherein the ibuprofen remains in suspension and wherein the bitter taste of ibuprofen is masked. More particularly the invention relates to a pediatric ibuprofen composition wherein the ibuprofen is maintained in suspension by the primary suspending agents xanthan gum, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and polysorbate 80, and wherein the ibuprofen is tastemasked with sucrose and sorbitol solution. Pediatric ibuprofen compositions are known in the art and marketed commercially. One such suspension is described in U.S. Patent 4,145,440 and teaches taste-masking the ibuprofen by first forming an aluminium salt of ibuprofen and then suspending the aluminium salt of ibuprofen in a pharmaceutical vehicle containing microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose or magnesium aluminium silicate as preferred suspending agents, and water soluble surface active agents in a sorbitol/glycerin/water mixture. Similarly, U.S. Patent 4,361,580 teaches taste-masking with an aluminium salt of ibuprofen in a vehicle containing a suspending agent with a particle size below 50 microns, a water-soluble surfactant, water and sucrose or its sweetening equivalent of glucose, fructose, sodium saccharin or sodium cyclamate. The suspending agents include acacia, tragacanth, xanthan gum, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose and the surfactants include (z)-sorbitan-mono-9-octadecenoate and polysorbate 80. Fluid suspensions of ibuprofen are also disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,346,108 which describes various ibuprofen dosage forms. The example of liquid dosage form again contains the ibuprofen aluminium salt, citric acid, benzoic acid, sucrose, tragacanth, lemon oil and water. Acacia and methylcellulose are disclosed as other suspending agents. Description of the Invention It has now been found that a taste neutral pediatric composition can be formulated from ibuprofen instead of aluminium salt of ibuprofen and that the ibuprofen can be maintained indefinitely in suspension by a combination of suspending agents including xanthan gum, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and polysorbate 80. Detailed Description of the Invention The pediatric ibuprofen compositions of the invention contain from 1% to 2% ibuprofen by weight of the total composition, from 1.0% to 1.5%, eg. about 1.25% by weight of the total composition of a combination of suspension stablizing agents comprising xanthan gum, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and polysorbate 80, from 55% to 75% by weight of the total composition of a combination of taste masking agents comprising sucrose and sorbitol solution, the composition also containing citric acid as a flavour enhancer in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH to from 3.5 to 5 and water. The pediatric ibuprofen composition is formulated to contain from 50 mg to 100 mg of ibuprofen per teaspoon (5 ml) of formulation, eg. 60 to 100 mg/5 ml, preferably about 100 mg/5 ml. Xanthan gum is an article of commerce and is marketed by R.T. Vanderbilt Company, Inc. of Los Angeles, California under the tradename Rhodigel 23. It is a food grade thickener in powder form of about 80 mesh. Ibuprofen is available commerically from Ethyl Corporation, Baton Rouge, Louisiana in a particle size range of 100-250 µm. Microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose are available from FMC Corporation, Newark, Delaware, the former under the brand name Avicel CL 611. Colouring and flavouring agents can be added as desired. The other ingredients can be any national formulary or USP grades. This invention also provides a process for preparing a pediatric ibuprofen composition which comprises suspending from 1% to 2% weight ibuprofen by volume of the total composition in a primary suspension stabilizing combination of ingredients and a primary taste masking combination of ingredients, the suspension stabilizing combination of ingredients comprising xanthan gum, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate 80, in an amount from 1.00% to 1.5% weight suspension stabilizing combination by volume of the total composition the taste masking combination comprising sucrose and sorbitol solution an amount from 55% to 75% weight taste masking combination by volume of the total composition, the composition also containing citric acid as a flavor enhancer in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH to from 3.5 to 5 and water qs to 100% by volume of the composition. The invention in further described by reference to the following examples. The procedure for preparation of the above pediatric formulation is first to prepare an ibuprofen slurry. The sorbitol solution and glycerin were weighed into a jacketed kettle equipped with a stirrer. The sodium carboxymethyl cellulose was sprinkled onto the solution and mixed for 10 minutes until all of the particles were completely wet. The mixture was then heated to about 70°C and mixed until the gum was completely hydrated. The mixture was then cooled to 45°C and the polysorbate 80 was added. Mixing was continued while cooling the mixture to 30°C. The ibuprofen was then sprinkled slowly into the mixture and mixing was continued for 15 minutes. The xanthan gum solution was prepared first in the form of a 1% by weight solution in water. The required amount of water was placed into a mixing bowl equipped with a Lightnin mixer and the xanthan gum slowly added and hydrated by mixing at high shear for approximately 25 minutes. Into a separate mixing vessel, equipped with a Lightnin mixer was placed 30% of the water required for the batch (about 4500 ml) The microcrystalline cellulose was sprinkled onto the water and mixing at medium shear for 30 minutes was continued in order to completely suspended the microcrystalline cellulose. The required amount of the xanthan gum solution was added to the microcrystalline cellulose suspension with mixing for 15 minutes or until a uniform suspension was obtained. The sucrose was then added slowly with mixing for 15 minutes, or until no sucrose particles were observed, and the colouring was added. The required amount of the ibuprofen slurry was slowly added from the first step and mixed for 15 minutes. The sodium benzoate, disodium edetate and citric acid were sequentially added and mixed for 5 minutes. The citric acid and the flavoring agents were sequentially added with mixing for 5 minutes after each addition. The remainder of the water then added with mixing until the formulation was homogeneous. The initiaI viscosity of the final formulation at 24°C was 1250 mPa · s (1250 cps) with a # 2 spindle at 4 r.p.m and at 10 r.p.m the viscosity was 600 mPa · s (600 cps). On standing the viscosity increased to 4000 mPa · s (4000 cps) which on shaking for 5 seconds decreased to 1200 mPa · s (1200 cps). The initial pH of the formulation was 4.10 and the specific gravity was 1.24 g/ml. The procedure for preparation of the above pediatric formulation is first to prepare an ibuprofen slurry. The sorbitol solution was weighed into a jacketed kettle equipped with a stirrer. The sodium carboxymethyl cellulose was sprinkled onto the solution and mixed for 10 minutes until all of the particles were completely wet. The glycerin was added with mixing for 5 minutes and the mixture was then heated to about 70°C the temperature held for at least 30 minutes to make sure the gum is completely hydrated and then the temperature was reduced to 45°C. The polysorbate 80 was added. Mixing was continued while cooling the mixture to 30°C. The ibuprofen was then sprinkled slowly into the mixture and mixing was continued for 15 minutes. The xanthan gum solution was prepared first in the form of a 1% by weight solution in water. The required amount of water, 1980 g, was placed into a mixing bowl equipped with a Lightnin mixer and 20 g of the xanthan gum slowly added and hydrated by mixing at high shear for approximately 25 minutes. Into a separate mixing vessel, equipped with a Lightnin mixer having a large propeller was placed 30% of the water required for the batch. The microcrystalline cellulose was sprinkled onto the water and mixing at medium shear for 30 minutes was continued in order to completely suspend the microcrystalline cellulose. The required amount of the xanthan gum solution was added to the microcrystalline cellulose solution with mixing for 15 minutes or until a uniform solution was obtained. The sucrose was then added slowly with mixing for 15 minutes, or until no sucrose particles were observed, and the coloring was added. The sodium benzoate and disodium edetate were sequentially added and mixed for 5 minutes. The citric acid and the flavoring agents were sequentially added with mixing for 5 minutes after each addition. The required amount of the ibuprofen slurry was slowly added from the first step and mixed for 15 minutes. The remainder of the water then added with mixing until the formulation was homogeneous. The viscosity of the final formulation at 24°C was 1100 mPa · s (1100 cps) with a #2 spindle at 4 r.p.m and at 10 r.p.m the viscosity was 950 mPa · s (950 cps). The initial pH of the formulation was 4.10 and the specific gravity was 1.234 g/ml. On standing the viscosity increased to 3800 mPa · s (3800 cps) which in shaking for 5 seconds decreased 1200 mPa · s to (1200 cps). The procedure for preparation of the above pediatric formulation was essentially the same as that of Example 2. The viscosity of the final formulation at 24°C was 1000 mPa · s (1000 cps) with a #2 spindle at 4 r.p.m. The initial pH of the formulation was 4.22 and the specific gravity was 1.24 g/ml. On standing the viscosity increased to 4200 mPa · s (4200 cps) which on shaking for 5 seconds decreased to 1200 mPa · s (1200 cps). The product was a cherry red opaque liquid with a sweet tutti-frutti taste.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States: AT, BE, CH, DE, FR, GB, IT, LI, LU, NL, SE 1. A pediatric ibuprofen composition containing 1% to 2% weight ibuprofen by volume of the total composition comprising a primary suspension stabilizing combination of ingredients and a primary taste masking combination of ingredients, the suspension stabilizing combination of ingredients comprising xanthan gum, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate 80, in an amount from 1.00% to 1.5% weight suspension stabilizing combination by volume of the total composition and the taste masking combination comprising sucrose and sorbitol solution in an amount from 55% to 75% weight taste masking combination by volume of the total composition, the composition also containing citric acid as a flavour enhancer in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH to from 3.5 to 5 and water qs to 100% by volume of the composition. 2. A composition as claimed in Claim 1 having an ibuprofen concentration of 50 mg to 120 mg per 5 ml of composition. 3. A composition as claimed in Claim 1 having an ibuprofen concentration of 60 to 100 mg per 5 ml of composition. 4. A composition as claimed in Claim 3 having an ibuprofen concentration of about 100 mg/5 ml. 5. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the ibuprofen used has an average particle size of 100 to 250 µm. 6. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the suspension stabilizing ingredients comprise 1.25% to 1.5% weight by volume of the total composition. 7. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 also containing one or more flavouring agents. 8. A process for preparing a pediatric ibuprofen composition which comprises suspending from 1% to 2% weight ibuprofen by volume of the total composition in a primary suspension stabilizing combination of ingredients and a primary taste masking combination of ingredients, the suspension stabilizing combination of ingredients comprising xanthan gum, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate 80 in an amount from 1.00% to 1.5% weight suspension stabilizing combination by volume of the total composition, the taste masking combination comprising sucrose and sorbitol solution in an amount from 55% to 75% weight taste masking combination by volume of the total composition and the composition also containing citric acid as a flavor enhancer in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH to from 3.5 to 5 and water qs to 100% by volume of the composition. Claims for the following Contracting States: GR, ES 1. A process for preparing a pediatric ibuprofen composition which comprises suspending from 1% to 2% weight ibuprofen by volume of the total composition in a primary suspension stabilizing combination of ingredients and a primary taste masking combination of ingredients, the suspension stabilizing combination of ingredients comprising xanthan gum, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate 80, in an amount from 1.00% to 1.5% weight suspension stabilizing combination by volume of the total composition and the taste masking combination comprising sucrose and sorbitol solution, in an amount from 55% to 75% weight taste masking combination by volume of the total composition, the composition also containing citric acid as a flavor enhancer in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH to from 3.5 to 5 and water qs to 100% by volume of the composition. 2. A process as claimed in Claim 1 in which the composition has an ibuprofen concentration of 50 mg to 120 mg per 5 ml of composition. 3. A process as claimed in Claim 1 in which the composition has an ibuprofen concentration of 60 to 100 mg per 5 ml of composition. 4. A process as claimed in Claim 3 in which the composition has an ibuprofen concentration of about 100 mg/5 ml. 5. A process as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the ibuprofen used has an average particle size of from 100 to 250 µm. 6. A process as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the suspension stabilizing ingredients comprise from 1.25% to 1.5% weight by volume of the total composition. 7. A process as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 in which the composition also contains one or more flavouring agents.

Inventors: MODY, DHIRAJ SHANTILAL, MOGAVERO, ANNABELLE
Applicants: AMERICAN HOME PROD, AMERICAN HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A61K31
IPC codes: A61K31, A61K47, A61P29, A61K9