Eunice Kazue Kano

Bioequivalence and pharmacokinetics of two zidovudine formulations in healthy brazilian volunteers: An open-label, randomized, single-dose, two-way crossover study

BACKGROUND Zidovudine is a thymidine nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor with activity against HIV type 1. Some (approximately 8) generic formulations of zidovudine are available in Brazil; however, based on a literature search, information concerning their bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties in the Brazilian population has not been reported. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties of 2 capsule formulations of zidovudine 100 mg in healthy Brazilian volunteers. METHODS This open-label, randomized, 2-way crossover study utilized a 1-week washout period between doses. Blood samples were collected for 8 hours after a single dose of zidovudine 100-mg test (Zidovudina, Fundação para o Remédio Popular, São Paulo, Brazil) or reference formulation (Retrovir, GlaxoSmithKline, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Plasma zidovudine concentrations were determined using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet detection at 265 nm. C(max), T(max), AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), t(1/2), and the elimination constant (k(e)) were determined using noncompartmental analysis. The formulations were considered bioequivalent if the 90% CIs for C(max), AUC(0-t), and AUC(0-infinity) fell within the interval of 80% to 125%,the regulatory definition set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). RESULTS Twenty-four healthy volunteers (12 males, 12 females; mean age, 27 years; weight, 60 kg; height, 167 cm) were enrolled and completed the study. The 90% CIs of the treatment ratios for the logarithmic transformed values of C(max), AUC(max)0-t, and AUC(0-infinity) were 80.0% to 113.6%, 93.9% to 109.7%, and 93.6% to 110.1%, respectively. The values for the test and reference formulations were within the FDA bioequivalence definition intervals of 80% to 125%. CONCLUSIONS In this small study in healthy subjects, no statistically significant differences in C(max), AUC(0-t), and AUC(0-infinity) were found between the test and reference formulations of zidovudine 100-mg capsules. The 90% CIs for the mean ratio values for the test and reference formulations of AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), and C(max) indicated that the reported data were entirely within the bioequivalence acceptance range proposed by the FDA of 80% to 125% (using log-transformed data).

HPLC–DAD and UV–Spectrophotometry for the Determination of Lychnopholide in Nanocapsule Dosage Form: Validation and Application to Release Kinetic Study

Simple and sensitive methods using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and ultraviolet (UV)-spectrophotometry were developed and compared to quantify lychnopholide (LYC) in poly-ε-caprolactone nanocapsules and to study its release kinetics. Both methods were validated concerning their specificity, linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, accuracy and stability. HPLC-DAD analyses were conducted using an RP C18 column, isocratic elution with a methanol-water (60:40 v/v) mobile phase at 0.8 mL/min flow rate and detection at 265 nm. The linear response (r(2) > 0.999) was obtained within a concentration range of 2-25 µg/mL using HPLC-DAD and 5-40 µg/mL using spectrophotometry. Intra-day and inter-day precision were obtained with low relative standard deviation values. The accuracy of the methods was within the range 98-101% for HPLC-DAD and from 96-100% for UV-spectrophotometry. Both methods were suitable to be applied for the determination of drug loading percentage (>96%) and encapsulation efficiency (>90%). Furthermore, the sensitivity of HPLC-DAD method allows studies of LYC release/dissolution in sink conditions. LYC presented 100% dissolution after 24 h, whereas only 60% of LYC was released from the nanocapsule dosage form, with no burst effect. The methods fulfilled all validation parameters evaluated for LYC quantification in the polymeric nanocapsules and have proven to be accurate, selective and sensitive in the previously mentioned applications.

Bioequivalence assay between orally disintegrating and conventional tablet formulations in healthy volunteers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate bioequivalence of two commercial 8 mg tablet formulations of ondansetrona available in the Brazilian market. In this study, a simple, rapid, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method is described for the determination of ondansetron in human plasma samples. The method was validated over a concentration range of 2.5-60 ng/ml and used in a bioequivalence trial between orally disintegrating and conventional tablet ondansetron formulations, to assess its usefulness in this kind of study. Vonau flash (Biolab Sanus Farmacêutica, Brazil, as test formulations) and Zofran (GlaxoSmithKline, Brazil, as reference formulation) were evaluated following a single 8 mg dose to 23 healthy volunteers of both genders. The dose was administered after an overnight fast according to a two-way crossover design. Bioequivalence between the products was determinated by calculating 90% confidence interval (90% CI) for the ratio of C(max), AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-infinity) values for the test and reference products, using logarithmically transformed data. The 90% confidence interval for the ratio of C(max) (87.5-103.8%), AUC(0-t) (89.3-107.2%) and AUC(0-infinity) (89.7-106.0%) values for the test and reference products is within the 80-125% interval, proposed by FDA, EMEA and ANVISA. It was concluded that two ondansetron formulations are bioequivalent in their rate and extent of absorption.

AN EFFICIENT HPLC-UV METHOD FOR THE QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF CEFADROXIL IN HUMAN PLASMA AND ITS APPLICATION IN PHARMACOKINETIC STUDIES

Cefadroxil is a semi-synthetic first-generation oral cephalosporin used in the treatment of mild to moderate infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts, skin and soft tissue infections. In this work a simple, rapid, economic and sensitive HPLC-UV method is described for the quantitative determination of cefadroxil in human plasma samples using lamivudine as internal standard. Sample pre-treatment was accomplished through protein precipitation with acetonitrile and chromatographic separation was performed with a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate solution, methanol and acetonitrile in the ratio of 90:8:2 (v/v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The proposed method is linear between 0.4 to 40.0 µg/mL and its average recovery is 102.21% for cefadroxil and 97.94% for lamivudine. The method is simple, sensitive, reproducible, less time consuming for determination of cefadroxil in human plasma. The method can therefore be recommended for pharmacokinetics studies, including bioavailability and bioequivalence studies.

Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence evaluation of cyclobenzaprine tablets.

The purpose of this study was to investigate cyclobenzaprine pharmacokinetics and to evaluate bioequivalence between two different tablet formulations containing the drug. An open, randomized, crossover, single-dose, two-period, and two-sequence design was employed. Tablets were administered to 23 healthy subjects after an overnight fasting and blood samples were collected up to 240 hours after drug administration. Plasma cyclobenzaprine was quantified by means of an LC-MS/MS method. Pharmacokinetic parameters related to absorption, distribution, and elimination were calculated. Cyclobenzaprine plasma profiles for the reference and test products were similar, as well as absorption pharmacokinetic parameters AUC (reference: 199.4 ng∗h/mL; test: 201.6 ng∗h/mL), Cmax (reference: 7.0 ng/mL; test: 7.2 ng/mL), and T max (reference: 4.5 h; test: 4.6 h). Bioequivalence was evaluated by means of 90% confidence intervals for the ratio of AUC (93%–111%) and C max (93%–112%) values for test and reference products, which were within the 80%–125% interval proposed by FDA. Cyclobenzaprine pharmacokinetics can be described by a multicompartment open model with an average rapid elimination half-life (t (1/2)β) of 3.1 hours and an average terminal elimination half-life (t (1/2)γ) of 31.9 hours.

Metronidazole immediate release formulations: a fasting randomized open-label crossover bioequivalence study in healthy volunteers.

Metronidazole is a BCS (Biopharmaceutics Classification System) class 1 drug, traditionally considered the choice drug in the infections treatment caused by protozoa and anaerobic microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate bioequivalence between 2 different marketed 250 mg metronidazole immediate release tablets. A randomized, open-label, 2×2 crossover study was performed in healthy Brazilian volunteers under fasting conditions with a 7-day washout period. The formulations were administered as single oral dose and blood was sampled over 48 h. Metronidazole plasma concentrations were determined by a liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The plasma concentration vs. time profile was generated for each volunteer and the pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax, Tmax, AUC0-t, AUC0-∞, ke, and t1/2 were calculated using a noncompartmental model. Bioequivalence between pharmaceutical formulations was determined by calculating 90% CIs (Confidence Intervall) for the ratios of Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-∞ values for test and reference using log-transformed data. 22 healthy volunteers (11 men, 11 women; mean (SD) age, 28 (6.5) years [range, 21-45 years]; mean (SD) weight, 66 (9.3) kg [range, 51-81 kg]; mean (SD) height, 169 (6.5) cm [range, 156-186 cm]) were enrolled in and completed the study. The 90% CIs for Cmax (0.92-1.06), AUC0-t (0.97-1.02), and AUC0-∞ (0.97-1.03) values for the test and reference products fitted in the interval of 0.80-1.25 proposed by most regulatory agencies, including the Brazilian agency ANVISA. No clinically significant adverse effects were reported. After pharmacokinetics analysis, it concluded that test 250 mg metronidazole formulation is bioequivalent to the reference product according to the Brazilian agency requirements.

Bioequivalence evaluation of single doses of two tramadol formulations: a randomized, open-label, two-period crossover study in healthy Brazilian volunteers.

BACKGROUND Tramadol is a well tolerated and effective analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain. Several generic formulations of tramadol are available in Brazil; however, published information regarding their bioequivalence in the Brazilian population is not available. A study was designed for Brazilian regulatory authorities to allow marketing of a generic formulation. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the bioequivalence of 2 commercial tablet preparations containing tramadol 100 mg marketed for use in Brazil. METHODS A randomized, open-label, 2 x 2 crossover study was performed in healthy Brazilian volunteers under fasting conditions with a washout period of 12 days. Two tablet formulations of tramadol 100 mg (test and reference formulations) were administered as a single oral dose, and blood samples were collected over 24 hours. Tramadol plasma concentrations were quantified using a validated HPLC method. A plasma concentration-time profile was generated for each volunteer and then mean values were determined, from which C(max), T(max), AUC(0-infinity) k(e), and t(1/2) were calculated using a noncompartmental model. Bioequivalence between the products was determined by calculating 90% CIs for the ratios of C(max) AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-infinity), values for the test and reference products using log-transformed data. Tolerability was assessed by monitoring vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, heart rate), laboratory tests (hematology, blood biochemistry, hepatic function, urinalysis), and interviews with the volunteers before medication administration and every 2 hours during the study. RESULTS Twenty-six healthy volunteers (13 men, 13 women) were enrolled in and completed the study. Mean (SD) age was 30 (6.8) years (range, 21-44 years), mean weight was 64 (8.3) kg (range, 53-79 kg), and mean height was 166 (6.4) cm (range, 155-178 cm). The 90% CIs for the ratios of Cmax (1.01-1.17), AUC(0-t) (1.00-1.13), and AUC(0-infinity). (1.00-1.14) values for the test and reference products fell within the interval of 0.80 to 1.25 proposed by most regulatory agencies, including the Brazilian regulatory body. No clinically important adverse effects were reported; only mild somnolence was reported by 4 volunteers and mild headaches by 5 volunteers, and there was no need to use medication to treat these symptoms. CONCLUSION Pharmacokinetic analysis in these healthy Brazilian volunteers suggested that the test and reference formulations of tramadol 100-mg tablets met the regulatory requirements to assume bioequivalence based on the Brazilian regulatory definition.

Effect of Different Sampling Schedules on Results of Bioavailability and Bioequivalence Studies: Evaluation by Means of Monte Carlo Simulations

Bioavailability and bioequivalence study is one of the most frequently performed investigations in clinical trials. Bioequivalence testing is based on the assumption that 2 drug products will be therapeutically equivalent when they are equivalent in the rate and extent to which the active drug ingredient or therapeutic moiety is absorbed and becomes available at the site of drug action. In recent years there has been a significant growth in published papers that use in silico studies based on mathematical simulations to analyze pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of drugs, including bioavailability and bioequivalence aspects. The goal of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of in silico studies as a tool in the planning of bioequivalence, bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic assays, e.g., to determine an appropriate sampling schedule. Monte Carlo simulations were used to define adequate blood sampling schedules for a bioequivalence assay comparing 2 different formulations of cefadroxil oral suspensions. In silico bioequivalence studies comparing different formulation of cefadroxil oral suspensions using various sampling schedules were performed using models. An in vivo study was conducted to confirm in silico results. The results of in silico and in vivo bioequivalence studies demonstrated that schedules with fewer sampling times are as efficient as schedules with larger numbers of sampling times in the assessment of bioequivalence, but only if Tmax is included as a sampling time. It was also concluded that in silico studies are useful tools in the planning of bioequivalence, bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic in vivo assays.

Average bioequivalence of single 500 mg doses of two oral formulations of levofloxacin: a randomized, open-label, two-period crossover study in healthy adult Brazilian volunteers

A bioequivalencia media de duas formulacoes de levofloxacino disponiveis no Brasil, Tavanic(c) (Sanofi-Aventis Farmaceutica Ltda, Brasil, produto referencia) e Levaquin(c) (Janssen-Cilag Farmaceutica Ltda, Brasil, produto teste) foi determinada por meio da realizacao de ensaio aleatorio, aberto, cruzado, com dois periodos e duas sequencias, em 26 voluntarios sadios em condicoes de jejum. Amostras de sangue dos voluntarios foram obtidas ao longo de um periodo de 48 horas apos administracao de dose unica de 500 mg de levofloxacino. As concentracoes plasmaticas do farmaco foram determinadas por metodo cromatografico validado. Os parâmetros farmacocineticos Cmax, Tmax, Kel, T1/2el, AUC0-t e AUC0-inf foram calculados por analise nao compartimental. A bioequivalencia foi determinada pelo calculo de intervalos de confianca 90% (IC 90%) para as razoes entre os valores de Cmax, AUC0-t e AUC0-inf obtidos para os produtos teste e referencia, usando dados transformados logaritmicamente. A tolerabilidade foi avaliada pelo acompanhamento dos sinais vitais e resultados de exames laboratoriais, por consultas e por relato espontâneo dos voluntarios. ICs 90% para Cmax, AUC0-t e AUC0-inf foram 92.1% - 108.2%, 90.7% - 98.0%, e 94.8% - 100.0%, respectivamente. Os eventos adversos observados foram nausea e cefaleia. Concluiu-se que os produtos Tavanic(c) e Levaquin(c) sao bioequivalentes, uma vez que os ICs 90% estao dentro da faixa de 80%-125% proposta pelas agencias reguladoras