Page 61 - Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds 3 Vols

2 (4 ISOBUTYLPHENYL)PROPIONIC ACID

acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), the standard against which they
2 (4 isobutylphenyl) were testing their products. They initially called their dis-
propionic acid. Red atoms are
covery ‘‘Brufen.’’
oxygen; white atoms are
hydrogen; and black atoms
In 1974, Boots licensed the Upjohn Company in the
are carbon. Gray sticks indicate
double bonds. Striped sticks United States to begin making a commercial version of
indicate a benzene ring. Brufen. Upjohn called its product Motrin and marketed the
PUBLISHERS RES O URCE GRO U P
compound primarily to people with arthritis. It soon became
a popular drug with both doctors and patients, who found
they were able to control the pain of arthritis with a non-
addictive product that was easier on the stomach than
aspirin.
Boots also entered the U.S. market several years later,
selling ibuprofen under the trade name of Rufen. A number
of other drug companies were eager to begin marketing their
version of ibuprofen, and when the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration approved ibuprofen for over-the-counter

10 CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS