novel and pharmaceutically elegant dosage forms of ketoprofen may be prepared by dissolving a ketoprofen composition in a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent . one particularly notable dosage form of ketoprofen in accordance with this invention is a clear , colorless , stable , and palatable liquid ketoprofen . liquid ketoprofen compositions in accordance with the invention may contain a therapeutically effective amount of the alkali metal salt of ketoprofen dispersed , suspended , and dissolved in an aqueous medium . specific examples of liquid compositions may contain an amount of ketoprofen salt which is the mass equivalent of approximately 12 . 5 to 150 mg of ketoprofen per 5 ml sample of the composition . exemplary dosages of ketoprofen salt within the range set forth above include those having a mass equivalent of about 12 . 5 mg , 25 mg , 50 mg , 75 mg , and 150 mg of ketoprofen per 5 ml of the composition ( about two tablespoons ). a bicarbonate composition is added to an aqueous medium to assist in the dispersion of the ketoprofen during the formulation of the composition . a suitable bicarbonate composition is an alkali metal bicarbonate , such as sodium or potassium bicarbonate . potassium bicarbonate is preferred . normally , bicarbonate compositions are used to adjust ph , but it is used in these compositions to disperse the ketoprofen in the medium and help it go into solution . the amount to be used is determined in empirical studies of the amounts needed to produce a desired amount of dispersion and dissolution . those studies indicate that on the order of a 2 . 5 grams of ketoprofen for each gram of potassium bicarbonate promotes the rapid and complete dissolution of ketoprofen into the aqueous medium resulting in a clear and stable ketoprofen solution without any solid or particulate matter evident upon visual examination . also , the extremely bitter and burning taste of ketoprofen is substantially eliminated in these ketoprofen liquids . it may , however , be desirable to mask even the small residual remnants of the flavor of ketoprofen . this may be accomplished by the addition of one or more flavoring agents . one of these flavoring agents may be a sweetener , such as sorbitol or sucrose , which may be added to the medium not only to mask the unpleasant flavor of the ketoprofen , but also to increase the viscosity of the composition so that a syrup results . to enhance the stability and shelf life of ketoprofen compositions of this invention , and to produce a haze free composition , it is suggested that , if sucrose is used , it be a high purity sugar . an example of such sucrose is bottler &# 39 ; s grade extra fine , no floc , sold by holly sugar . some patients may not be able to tolerate high levels of sucrose . in that case , an artificial sweetener may be used in the invention of this application instead of sucrose . such artificial sweeteners include sodium saccharine and aspartame . if these sweeteners are used , however , it may be desirable to add a composition such as glycerol , sorbitol , propylene glycol , or combinations of two or more of those ingredients in an amount which will build up the viscosity of the resulting composition . in addition to sweetening the composition of the invention to mask the flavor of the ketoprofen , other ingredients may be added to enhance its flavor and mouth feel . one possibility is menthol ; another is glycerin . glycerin also may be used to increase the viscosity of the composition . fruit flavorings may also be added to the composition , such as banana , berry or citrus fruit flavorings . licorice , bubble gum , selected spices , such as cinnamon , and a mint , such as peppermint , may also be used to flavor the liquid ketoprofen composition . the flavorings may be natural and / or artificial . commercially available flavoring systems from flavor houses such as firmenich may be employed . compositions in accordance with this example of the invention of this application are liquid ketoprofen compositions exhibiting a great deal of clarity without haze formation . they are chemically and physically stable for extended periods of time . in other words , the ketoprofen tends not to chemically react with anything either inside or outside the liquid medium . it remains dispersed and suspended in the medium and does not settle to the bottom of the container in which the composition is stored . for all intents and purposes , liquid ketoprofen compositions in accordance with this invention are stable aqueous solutions of the alkali metal salt of ketoprofen , something which applicant is unaware of actually having been produced before . no particulate matter is evident under visual inspection and ketoprofen is uniformly dispersed and suspended in the aqueous medium . this condition is maintained for extended periods of time . no hydrophilic emulsifying agents and colloidal clays are required to produce these compositions , nor are any special antioxidants required , such as metabisulfites , which some have claimed may cause allergic reactions in children . also , it is not critical that ph be controlled . compositions in accordance with this example of the invention may be prepared by the following detailed process . first , a predetermined amount of water is measured into a vessel , which is then heated to a temperature which will aid in the dispersal of the ingredients in the liquid medium , for example 55 ° c . to 65 ° c . then , a predetermined amount of alkali metal bicarbonate , such as potassium bicarbonate , is measured and slowly added to the heated water while it is being stirred . after the bicarbonate has been dissolved , then a predetermined amount of ketoprofen powder is slowly added to the tank while the contents of the tank are being stirred . this processing generally creates a frothy and cloudy mixture . this condition can be eliminated by allowing the tank to stand until the froth subsides . the mixture then should be stirred again and allowed to stand until it becomes clear . at this point , it would be possible to evaporate the water in the mixture to obtain a solid crystalline alkali metal salt of ketoprofen which can be used to create solid or semi - solid dosage forms of ketoprofen if a combination product is being created , additional active ingredients may be added to the mixture at this time . for example , one or more , narcotics , antihistimines , anti - infectives , antibiotics , decongestants , or other medications can be added after the reaction between the ketoprofen composition and bicarbonate composition is complete . for example , after the ketoprofen - bicarbonate reaction takes place , a predetermined amount of hydrocodone can be added to the tank while the solution is being stirred . applicant has found that use of ketoprofen and potassium bicarbonate in a 2 . 5 grams of ketoprofen for each gram of potassium bicarbonate ratio minimizes the amount of foam and cloudiness in the mixture and minimizes the amount of time needed for these conditions to disappear . when the foam and cloudiness have disappeared , the process may then be continued by adding sorbitol . the mixture then is stirred until the sorbitol completely disperses in the solution . if glycerin or any other excipients are used it would be added at this time until completely dispersed . other excipients include microcrystalline cellulose , gums , and other ingredients . sodium benzoate in an amount that achieves a desired anti - microbial effect , or an equivalent anti - microbial agent such as one or more of butyl paraben , methyl paraben , and propyl paraben , then may be dissolved in a separate vessel . it should be noted however , that in previous studies of propionic acid compositions , the inventor found that sodium benzoate is an excipient of choice over the methyl and propyl parabens due their loss of potency over time . the anti - microbial solution then would be added to the liquid ketoprofen while stirring . the next step would be to cool down the solution and add any additional flavoring agents while mixing . before preparing the composition , the preparation area should be checked for cleanliness , including all equipment coming in contact with the ingredients . in addition to the raw materials listed above , a heated jacketed tank , a transfer pump with hoses , and a filtration system should also be available . to avoid microbial contamination , contact of the ingredients and the equipment with the hands should be avoided . the purified water is placed in the heated jacketed tank which has been fitted with the proper stirring mechanism . a clear , stable , and palatable liquid ketoprofen composition having an amount of ketoprofen salt which is the mass equivalent of about 12 . 5 mgs to about 150 mgs of ketoprofen per 5 mls sample may be prepared by the process described above . liquid ketoprofen compositions having other amounts of ketoprofen salt may also be prepared . a 1 liter batch of a liquid ketoprofen composition in accordance with the invention of this application may be prepared in accordance with the processing described below . the resulting composition will contain an amount of ketoprofen salt having a mass equivalent of about 25 mg of ketoprofen per 5 ml ( about two tablespoons ). the same procedure can be followed to obtain illustrative 12 . 5 mgs , 50 mgs , 100 mgs , and 150 mgs dosages , taking into consideration the calculation differential in which each ingredient will be increased / decreased accordingly . a list of the ingredients needed for the preparation of this batch is as follows : ingredient quantity potassium bicarbonate 2 g ketoprofen 5 g sorbitol 650 g butyl paraben allowable amount glycerin 5 g flavoring systems allowable amount purified water 100 g purified water q . s . 1 . in a vessel weigh out water and heat to 55 ° c . to 65 ° c . ; weigh out potassium bicarbonate and add to heated water and mix until completely dissolved ; 2 . weigh out ketoprofen and add to step 1 ; mix until foaming subsides and clear solution is formed ; 3 . allow for the solution to cool down and add sorbitol to step 1 ; 4 . in a separate vessel weigh out glycerin and heat to 60 ° c . ; 5 . weigh out butyl paraben and add to step 4 , slowly while mixing ; 6 . add step 4 to step 3 ; 7 . weigh out flavoring system and add to step 3 ; and 8 . q . s . with water . a 1 liter batch of a liquid ketoprofen composition in accordance with the invention of this application may be prepared in accordance with the processing described above . the resulting composition will contain an amount of ketoprofen salt having a mass equivalent of about 25 mg of ketoprofen per 2 . 5 ml ( about one tablespoon ). the same procedure can be followed to obtain illustrative 12 . 5 mgs , 50 mgs , 100 mgs , and 150 mgs dosages , taking in consideration the calculation differential in which each ingredient will be increased / decreased accordingly . a list of the ingredients needed for the preparation of this batch is as follows : ingredient quantity potassium bicarbonate 4 g ketoprofen 10 g sorbitol 650 g butyl paraben allowable amount glycerin 5 g flavoring systems allowable amount purified water 100 g purified water q . s . 1 . in a vessel weigh out water and heat to 55 ° c . to 65 ° c . ; weigh out potassium bicarbonate and add to heated water and mix until completely dissolved ; 2 . weigh out ketoprofen and add to step 1 ; mix until foaming subsides and clear solution is formed ; 3 . allow the solution to cool down and add sorbitol to step 1 ; 4 . in a separate vessel weigh out glycerin and heat to 60 ° c . ; 5 . weigh out butyl paraben and add slowly to step 4 while mixing ; 6 . add step 4 to step 3 ; 7 . weigh out flavoring system and add to step 3 ; and 8 . q . s . with water . a 1 liter batch of a liquid ketoprofen composition in accordance with the invention of this application may be prepared in accordance with the processing described below . the resulting composition will contain an amount of ketoprofen salt having a mass equivalent of about 25 mg of ketoprofen per 5 ml ( about two tablespoons ). a list of the ingredients needed for the preparation of this batch is as follows : ingredient quantity potassium bicarbonate 2 g ketoprofen 5 g sorbitol 650 g sodium benzoate allowable amount glycerin 5 g flavoring sytems allowable amount purified water 100 g purified water q . s . 1 . in a vessel weigh out water and heat to 55 ° c . to 65 ° c . ; weigh out potassium bicarbonate and add to heated water and mix until completely dissolved ; 2 . weigh out ketoprofen and add to step 1 ; mix until foaming subsides and clear solution is formed ; 3 . allow the solution to cool down and add sorbitol to step 1 ; 4 . in a separate vessel , weigh out glycerin and heat to 60 ° c . ; 5 . weigh out sodium benzoate and add slowly to step 4 while mixing ; 6 . add step 4 to step 3 ; 7 . weigh out flavoring system and add to step 3 ; and 8 . q . s . with water . a 1 liter batch of a liquid ketoprofen composition in accordance with the invention of this application may be prepared in accordance with the processing described below . the resulting composition will contain an amount of ketoprofen salt having a mass equivalent of about 25 mg of ketoprofen per 5 ml ( about two tablespoons ). a list of the ingredients needed for the preparation of this batch is as follows : ingredient quantity potassium bicarbonate 2 g ketoprofen 5 g sugar / other sweetening agents 650 g sodium benzoate allowable amount glycerin 5 g flavoring systems allowable amount purified water 100 g purified water q . s . 1 . in a vessel weigh out water and heat to 55 ° c . to 65 ° c . ; weigh out potassium bicarbonate and add to heated water and mix until completely dissolved ; 2 . weigh out ketoprofen and add to step 1 ; mix until foaming subsides and clear solution is formed ; 3 . add sugar and / or other sweetening agents to step 1 while mixing 4 . allow the solution to cool down ; 5 . in a separate vessel , weigh out glycerin and heat to 60 ° c . ; 6 . weigh out sodium benzoate and slowly add to step 5 while mixing ; 7 . add step 5 to step 4 ; 8 . weigh out flavoring system and add to step 4 ; and 9 . q . s . with water . a 1 liter batch of a liquid ketoprofen composition in accordance with the invention of this application may be prepared in accordance with the processing described below . the resulting composition will contain an amount of ketoprofen salt having a mass equivalent of about 25 mg of ketoprofen per 5 ml a list of the ingredients needed for the preparation of this batch is as follows : ingredient quantity potassium bicarbonate 2 g ketoprofen 5 g sorbitol 650 g glycerin 5 g flavoring systems allowable amount purified water 100 g purified water q . s . 1 . in a vessel weigh out water and heat to 55 ° c . to 65 ° c . ; weigh out potassium bicarbonate and add to heated water and mix until completely dissolved ; 2 . weigh out ketoprofen and add to step 1 ; mix until foaming subsides and clear solution is formed ; 3 . allow the solution to cool down and add sorbitol to step 1 ; 4 . in a separate vessel weigh out glycerin and heat to 60 ° c . ; 5 . weigh out antimicrobial agent and add slowly to step 4 while mixing ; 6 . add step 4 to step 3 ; 7 . weigh out flavoring system and add to step 3 ; and 8 . q . s . with water . a 1 liter batch of a liquid ketoprofen - narcotic composition in accordance with the invention of this application may be prepared in accordance with the processing described below . the resulting composition will contain an amount of ketoprofen salt having a mass equivalent of about 25 mg of ketoprofen and 7 . 5 mg of hydrocodone per 5 ml ( about two tablespoons ). a list of the ingredients needed for the preparation of this batch is as follows : ingredient quantity potassium bicarbonate 2 g ketoprofen 5 g hydrocodone 7 . 5 g sorbitol 650 g other approved anti - microbial allowable amount agents glycerin 5 g flavoring systems allowable amount purified water 100 g purified water q . s . 1 . in a vessel weigh out water and heat to 55 ° c . to 65 ° c . ; weigh out potassium bicarbonate and add to heated water and mix until completely dissolved ; 2 . weigh out ketoprofen and add to step 1 ; mix until foaming subsides and clear solution is formed ; 3 . allow the solution to cool down and weigh out and add hydrocodone to step 1 , while stiring until completely dissolved ; 4 . weigh out sorbitol and add to step 1 ; 5 . in a separate vessel , weigh out glycerin and heat to 60 ° c . ; 6 . weigh out antimicrobial agent and add slowly to step 5 while mixing ; 7 . add step 5 to step 4 ; 8 . weigh out flavoring system and add to step 4 ; and 9 . q . s . with water . the following examples demonstrate additional dosage forms that can be prepared in accordance with the principles of this invention . a batch of ketoprofen semi - solid composition in the form of a cream can be prepared using the following ingredients and procedures . fraction ingredient quantity emulgin b2 2 . 5 g methyl paraben 0 . 9 g propyl paraben 0 . 1 g sorbitol 15 g purified water 500 g purified water q . s . 1 . weigh out euthanol g and lanette o and heat to 70 degrees celsius ; 2 . weigh out ketoprofen and add to step 1 ; 3 . in a separate vessel , weigh out 200 g of water and heat to 70 degrees celsius ; while stirring , add the next ingredients as follows ; 4 . weigh out emulgin b2 and add to step 3 ; 5 . weigh out methyl and propyl paraben and add to step 3 ; 6 . weigh out sorbitol and add to step 3 ; 7 . add the water fraction to step 3 , while stirring ; 8 . qs with water ; and 9 . cool down the resulting emulsion to 25 degrees celsius and pour into jars . a batch of ketoprofen semi - solid composition in the form of gel can be prepared using the following ingredients and procedures . ingredient quantity carbowax 540 blend 780 g ketoprofen 180 g water 30 g sodium benzoate 10 g 1 . weigh out carbowax 540 blend and heat to 65 ° c .- 70 ° c . ; 2 . reduce heat in step 1 to 55 ° c . to 65 ° c . and add ketoprofen while mixing ; 3 . weigh out sodium benzoate and add to step 2 ; 4 . weigh out water while mixing add to step 3 ; and 5 . pour into gel tubes and let set until gel is formed a batch of ketoprofen semi - solid composition in the form of a suppository can be prepared using the following ingredients and procedures . ingredient quantity peg 8000 powder 1 . 2 g peg 400 liquid 1 . 0 g ketoprofen predetermined dose amount note : dose amount could be 12 . 5 mgs ; 25 mgs ; 50 mgs ; 75 mgs 1 . stir peg 8000 into peg 400 ; 2 . heat in a water jacketed vessel or water bath and heat until peg 400 liquifies ; 3 . while mixing add a predetermined amount of ketoprofen ; 4 . while in liquid state pour into designated molds ; and 5 . let cool in molds at room temperature before removing formed suppositories . a 1 liter batch of a water - soluble ketoprofen composition for a mass equivalent 25 mg of ketoprofen per 1 ml injectable dose can be prepared using the following ingredients and procedures . ingredient quantity potassium bicarbonate 10 g ketoprofen 25 g sterile water for injection 500 g sterile water for injection q . s . note : dose amount could be 12 . 5 mgs ; 25 mgs ; 50 mgs ; 75 mgs ; 100 mgs ; 150 mgs 1 . weigh out water and heat to 55 ° c . to 65 ° c . ; weigh out potassium bicarbonate and add to heated water and mix until dissolved ; 2 . weigh out ketoprofen and add to step 1 ; mix until foaming subsides and a clear solution forms ; and 3 . q . s . with water . a 1 liter batch of solvent - based ketoprofen composition for a 25 mg per 1 ml injectable dose can be prepared using the following ingredients and procedures . ingredient quantity peg 300 255 g sorbitol 70 % solution 100 g ethyl alcohol 55 g ketoprofen 25 g sterile water for injection 500 g sterile water for injection q . s . note : dose amount could be 12 . 5 mgs ; 25 mgs ; 50 mgs ; 75 mgs ; 100 mgs ; 150 mgs 1 . weigh out peg 300 and sorbitol and mix together ; 2 . in a separate vessel , weigh out ethyl alcohol ; 3 . weigh out ketoprofen and add to step 2 ; 4 . add step 1 to step 3 while mixing ; and 5 . q . s . with water . a 1 liter batch of a water - soluble ketoprofen composition for a 7 . 5 mg of hydrocodone and a mass equivalent of 25 mg of ketoprofen per 1 ml injectable dose can be prepared using the following ingredients and procedures . ingredient quantity potassium bicarbonate 10 g ketoprofen 25 g hydrocodone 7 . 5 g sterile water for injection 500 g sterile water for injection q . s . note : dose amount for ketoprofen could be 12 . 5 mgs ; 25 mgs ; 50 mgs ; 75 mgs ; 100 mgs ; 150 mgs dose amount of hydrocodone could be 7 . 5 mgs or higher . 1 . weigh out water and heat to 55 ° c . to 65 ° c . ; weigh out potassium bicarbonate and add to heated water and mix until dissolved ; 2 . weigh out ketoprofen and add to step 1 ; mix until foaming subsides and a clear solution forms ; 3 . allow for solution to cool down and add the hydrocodone while stirring until completely dissolved . 4 . q . s . with water . a 1 liter batch of a liquid ketoprofen - narcotic composition in accordance with the invention of this application may be prepared in accordance with the processing described below . the resulting composition will contain about 25 mg of ketoprofen and 7 . 5 mg of hydrocodone per 1 ml . a list of the ingredients needed for the preparation of this batch is as follows : ingredient quantity peg 300 255 g sorbitol 70 % solution 100 g ethyl alcohol 55 g ketoprofen 25 g hydrocodone 7 . 5 g sterile water for injection 500 g sterile water for injection q . s . note : dose amount of ketoprofen could be 12 . 5 mgs ; 25 mgs ; 50 mgs ; 75 mgs ; 100 mgs ; 150 mgs dose amount of hydrocodone could be 7 . 5 mgs or higher . 1 . weigh out peg 300 and sorbitol and mix together ; 2 . in a separate vessel weigh out ethyl alcohol ; 3 . weigh out ketoprofen and add to step 2 , while stirring ; 4 . weight out hydrocodone and add to step 3 while stirring ; 5 . add step 1 to step 3 while mixing ; and 6 . q . s . with water .
a wide variety of pharmaceutically and commercially acceptable dosage forms of ketoprofen are prepared by dissolving ketoprofen in pharmaceutically acceptable solvents .