The percutaneous kinetics of ibuprofen from a cream formulation

: The percutaneous penetration of an ibuprofen cream at 5% (Dolgit Creme) was tested in guinea pigs. Already 20 min after application of the cream on the shaved skin high ibuprofen concentrations of about 10 micrograms/g were found in the subcutaneous and in the muscular tissue. The plasma concentrations reached only one tenth of the values ascertained in the tissues. 2 h after application the concentrations in the tissue increased by 50%, whereas the increase of the plasma concentrations was more significant. The results confirm in agreement with kinetic studies in man that ibuprofen penetrates from the tested formulation directly and very quickly in deeper tissues. The deviation of the active ingredient over the systemic circulation is improbable.