flurbiprofen methyl ester

Flurbiprofen methyl ester is an esterified derivative of flurbiprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) belonging to the propionic acid class. It is primarily used in research and as a prodrug form of flurbiprofen. The rationale for synthesizing the methyl ester form is to temporarily mask the carboxylic acid group of flurbiprofen to reduce direct gastrointestinal irritation and improve bioavailability. Upon administration and hydrolysis in vivo (e.g., by plasma or tissue esterases), it releases active flurbiprofen. Like its parent compound, it exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects mainly through inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2), thereby suppressing prostaglandin synthesis[5][8]. Flurbiprofen itself is indicated for symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, pain associated with inflammation such as bursitis or tendonitis, dysmenorrhea, and preoperative prevention of intraoperative miosis[1][5]. The prodrug approach aims to retain efficacy while reducing adverse gastrointestinal effects commonly seen with NSAIDs[8].

Other names

[1,1'-Biphenyl]-4-acetic acid, 2-fluoro-a-methyl-, methyl estermethyl 2-(3-fluoro-4-phenylphenyl)propanoate