Injectable Ibuprofen Solubilization Without Phase Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ibuprofen formulations, particularly injectable solutions, face challenges with solubility issues due to poor water solubility, requiring the formation of salts and involving complex processes that increase costs and potential side effects, and do not maintain stability across a wide concentration range without phase transitions.

Innovation Solution

A pharmaceutical composition using an ibuprofen solubilizing agent like sodium or potassium phosphate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, or L-lysine, maintaining ibuprofen solubility from 100 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL without phase transitions, with molar ratios less than or equal to 1:1, and a pH range of 6.8 to 7.8, allowing for stable injectable solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If ibuprofen is formulated as a racemic mixture for simplicity, then manufacturing and formulation processes are simplified, but the biological activity is reduced since only the (S) enantiomer is actively effective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation process simplicityVSAvoidbiological activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter from racemic mixture to enantiomerically pure (S)-ibuprofen, transforming the formulation from a mixture containing both (R) and (S) enantiomers to a single active enantiomer, thereby improving biological activity while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established chiral separation techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If ibuprofen is used in high concentrations for effective dosing, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but solubility issues arise causing phase transitions and precipitation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveibuprofen concentrationVSAvoidsolution stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a solubilizing agent as an intermediary substance that forms a soluble complex with (S)-ibuprofen, enabling high concentrations (up to 100 mg/mL) to be achieved without phase transitions or precipitation, thus maintaining solution stability across a wide concentration range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the solution by adjusting pH to specific ranges (6.8-7.8) and incorporating solubilizing agents, which modifies the solubility characteristics of ibuprofen and prevents phase transitions at high concentrations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If ibuprofen formulations require salt formation for solubility, then water solubility is improved, but the process complexity and potential side effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater solubilityVSAvoidformulation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a solubilizing agent as an intermediary that enables direct dissolution of (S)-ibuprofen in water without requiring salt formation, thereby achieving water solubility while simplifying the formulation process and reducing the number of steps involved

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the salt formation step from the conventional formulation process, removing the need to isolate and test salts prior to producing the dosage form, thus reducing process complexity and minimizing non-active components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Quantity of substance

If conventional ibuprofen formulations are used, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but development time increases due to required salt formation and isolation testing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-establishing the use of solubilizing agents and pH adjustment protocols, which eliminates the need for subsequent salt formation and isolation testing steps, thereby reducing development time while maintaining cost-effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a stable, clear, and colorless ibuprofen formulation that remains soluble across a wide concentration range, reducing the need for salt formation and minimizing side effects, with improved pharmacokinetics and reduced volume requirements for effective administration.

Implementation Method 1

A pharmaceutical composition using an ibuprofen solubilizing agent like sodium or potassium phosphate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, or L-lysine, maintaining ibuprofen solubility from 100 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL without phase transitions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolubility enhancement: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

with a pH range of 6.8 to 7.8, allowing for stable injectable solutions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH buffering:

Data Source

PatentUS20250235539A1Injectable ibuprofen formulation
Publication Date: 2025.07.24 CUMBERLAND PHARMACEUTICALS INC

AI summary

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an aqueous solution of an ibuprofen solubilizing agent and ibuprofen, the ibuprofen solubilizing agent being in an effective amount such that the ibuprofen in the solution remains soluble at concentrations from 100 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL without undergoing a phase transition. The invention further provides a method of treating a condition chosen from pain, inflammation, fever, and/or patent ductus arteriosis, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of an aqueous solution a ibuprofen solubilizing agent and ibuprofen, the ibuprofen solubilizing agent being in an effective amount such that the ibuprofen in the solution remains soluble at concentrations from 100 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL without undergoing a phase transition, as well as a method for manufacturing the composition.