History and Development of Ibuprofen

The history of ibuprofen began over 50 years ago and has been inextricably linked to understanding of the concepts of the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and the actions of therapeutic agents used at that time. The principal initiator of this research leading to the discovery of ibuprofen was Dr Stewart Adams, a pharmacologist in the Research Department of The Boots Pure Drug Company Ltd at Nottingham. Nicholson reviewed in depth the medicinal chemistry of the propionic acids and the chemical discovery process underlying the development of ibuprofen. In this chapter, the author emphasizes the main thinking at the time and key events involved in the discovery of what has been one of the most successful non-steroidal anti-inflationary drugs (NSAIDs) developed since aspirin. The gastrointestinal blood loss from 800 -1800 mg/day ibuprofen was found by Thompson and Anderson to be no different from that with paracetamol or placebo.