Preparation and evaluation of Eudragit gels. I: Eudragit organogels containing drugs as rectal sustained-release preparations.

New organogels containing salicylic acid, sodium salicylate, procaine, and ketoprofen were prepared by using Eudragit L and S, and propylene glycol. The physical properties (e.g., penetration and extensibility) of the organogels were affected considerably by the incorporation of a basic drug, such as procaine, rather than an acidic drug, such as salicylic acid. In in vivo evaluation using rabbits, it was found that 30% Eudragit L organogels containing 1.25% (w/w) salicylic acid or 2.5% (w/w) ketoprofen showed sustained plasma salicylic acid or ketoprofen levels and almost the same AUC as compared with Witepsol H-15 suppositories containing these drugs. Furthermore, the relative bioavailability for salicylic acid and ketoprofen released from 30% Eudragit L organogels, with 10% (w/w) linolic acid or oleic acid as absorption enhancer, increased to 1.55-1.75- and 1.46-1.85-fold, respectively, compared with 30% Eudragit L organogels without these unsaturated fatty acids.