SBA-15 ordered mesoporous silica functionalized with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) was used as the carrier for anti-inflammatory drug: 2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid - ketoprofen. The surface of SBA-15 containing free silanol groups was modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane via post-synthetic reaction. Functionalization of the carrier with basic aminopropyl groups resulted in an ionic interaction with acidic ketoprofen. The samples of carriers and carrier-drug complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, TG, N-2 adsorption, FTIR, DRUV spectroscopies and an in vitro drug release test. The adsorption of ketoprofen on modified mesoporous matrix was proportional to the amount of introduced aminopropyl groups. The maximum content of deposited drug in modified SBA-15 was close to 20 wt.%. After drug adsorption the reduction of BET surface area, pore volume and pore diameter of non-modified SBA-15 and aminopropyl-modified SBA-15 after drug adsorption were observed while the hexagonal array of siliceous matrix was well preserved. The release profiles of the aminopropyl-modified drug-containing SBA-15 exhibited prolonged release of ketoprofen in applied media. Tests performed in acidic solution (pH 1.2) showed the best pharmaceutical availability. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.