Absorption, distribution, excretion and anti-inflammatory effects of flurbiprofen in animals after rectal administration

Summary

Absorption, tissue distribution and urinary and biliary excretion of flurbiprofen were compared after rectal and oral administration of a 14C-labelled compound to Wistar rats. Flurbiprofen was readily absorbed by both routes, plasma levels of radioactivity reaching a maximum in 20 to 30 minutes and then decreasing rapidly. Flurbiprofen was found to have a wide tissue distribution, but there was no evidence of accumulation in any particular tissue. Approximately 52% of the dose administered by either route was excreted in the urine within 96 hours. The proportion excreted in the bile within 24 hours was 45.6% after rectal administration and 38.3% after oral administration.

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects offlurbiprofen after administration by the two routes were studied in a number of animal experiments. Flurbiprofen was shown to be more potent in the tests after rectal administration.

Key Words::

• Flurbiprofen
• anti-inflammatory agents
• pharmacokinetics
• suppositories