RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Quetiapine is a dibenzothiazepine derivative that has been established as an effective therapy for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A new extended-release (XR) solid formulation of quetiapine was developed in the United Kingdom and a Uruguayan company has developed a branded generic version of the innovator. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to assess the relative bioavailability of a new XR formulation of quetiapine 300 mg versus the XR reference product after the administration of a high-fat breakfast as required to assume bioequivalence according to the Uruguayan regulatory authority. METHODS: This was a randomized-sequence, open-label, 2-period crossover study performed in healthy Uruguayan volunteers with a washout period of 7 days. One tablet of quetiapine XR 300 mg (test and reference formulations) was administered as a single oral dose, and blood samples were collected over 36 hours. Plasma quetiapine concentration was measured by using HPLC. Plasma concentration-time curves were plotted for each volunteer, and AUC from 0 to 36 hours (AUC(0-36)), AUC(0-∞), C(max), and T(max) were calculated. A priori bioequivalence requirements were set to require a 90% CI of the test/reference ratios for AUC and C(max) values that were between 0.80 and 1.25. Adverse events were determined using clinical assessment, laboratory test results, and monitoring of vital signs throughout the study. Study subjects were asked to report any adverse events at any time during the study. RESULTS: Twenty-four healthy volunteers (12 men, 12 women) were enrolled and completed the study (mean [SD] age, 31 [6.5] years; weight, 68 [12] kg; height, 1.69 [0.09] m; body mass index, 23.7 [3.2] kg/m(2)). Arithmetic mean (SD) of AUC(0-36), AUC(0-∞), C(max), and T(max) were 3279 (1169) ng/mL/h, 3731 (1332) ng/mL/h, 341.5 (108.3) ng/mL, and (median [range]) 5.0 (1.5-12.0) hours, respectively, for the test formulation and 3528 (1308) ng/mL/h, 3546 (1350) ng/mL/h, 365.9 (136.4) ng/mL, and (median [range]) 5.0 (2.5-10.0) hours, respectively, for the reference formulation. The geometric mean (90% CI) for the test/reference ratio of the log-transformed AUC(0-36), AUC(0-∞), and C(max) values were: 0.99 (0.91-1.07), 1.06 (0.95-1.18), and 0.94 (0.84-1.05), respectively. The frequency of reported adverse events was: hypotension (27%), dry mouth (27%), dizziness (10%), headache (7%), and nausea (7%). The difference between formulations was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This single-dose study found that the test and reference formulations of quetiapine met the regulatory criteria for bioequivalence among healthy male and female volunteers who took the medicines after a high-fat breakfast. Both products were generally well tolerated.
Asunto(s)
Antipsicóticos/farmacocinética , Dibenzotiazepinas/farmacocinética , Grasas de la Dieta/administración & dosificación , Administración Oral , Adulto , Antipsicóticos/administración & dosificación , Antipsicóticos/efectos adversos , Área Bajo la Curva , Disponibilidad Biológica , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Estudios Cruzados , Preparaciones de Acción Retardada , Dibenzotiazepinas/administración & dosificación , Dibenzotiazepinas/efectos adversos , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Periodo Posprandial , Fumarato de Quetiapina , Comprimidos , Equivalencia Terapéutica , Uruguay , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Imatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has been established as a highly effective therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. A new generic, once-daily 400-mg tablet of imatinib has been developed by a pharmaceutical company in Argentina, where the regulatory standard for marketing authorization of an imatinib generic is in vitro dissolution testing. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the bioequivalence of a new generic film-coated test tablet formulation versus a film-coated reference tablet formulation of imatinib 400 mg. The local manufacturer seeks to validate the in vitro performance of this new formulation with a bioequivalence study. METHODS: A randomized, open-label, single-dose, fasting, 2-period, 2-sequence crossover design with a 2-week washout period was used in this study. The study population consisted of healthy male South American (Uruguayan) volunteers, who were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a randomized sequence (test-reference or reference-test). In each period, the test or reference formulation was administered after an overnight fast. During the 72-hour follow-up period, participants were monitored for vital signs and symptoms. Blood samples were collected at 15 time points, including baseline, until 72 hours. Physical examination and laboratory tests (blood, urine) were repeated 1 week after study completion. A noncompartmental model was used to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of imatinib. The 90% CIs of the test/reference ratios for AUC(0-infinity) and C(max) were determined; the test and reference formulations were considered bioequivalent if the 90% CIs were between 0.80 and 1.25. Adverse events were assessed by a nurse who administered a questionnaire while the healthy volunteers were admitted in the unit. RESULTS: The bioequivalence study was conducted in 30 Uruguayan male volunteers. Demographic characteristics (mean [SD]) included age, 27.8 (6.5) years; weight, 71.2 (9.8) kg; height, 1.71 (0.09) m; and body mass index, 24.3 (3.0) kg/m2. The mean (SD) of AUC(0-infinity) was 38,179 (15,504) ng/mL x h(-1) for the test formulation and 40,554 (17,027) ng/mL x h(-1) for the reference formulation. The mean of Cmax for the test formulation was 2472 (933) ng/mL, and the mean Tmax was 3.28 (0.93) hours. The mean of Cmax for the reference formulation was 2566 (963) ng/mL, and the mean T(max) was 3.63 (1.20) hours. The point estimates (90% CIs) for the test/reference ratios of the log-transformed AUC- and C(max) mean values were 0.95 (0.87-1.03) and 0.97 (0.89-1.05), respectively, which met the regulatory criteria for bioequivalence. Thirty-four mild to moderate adverse events were reported (13 with the test formulation and 21 with the reference formulation), and no serious or unexpected adverse events were observed during the study. The adverse events included 16 cases of headache, 13 cases of nausea, 4 cases of vomiting, and 1 episode of diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the test formulation of imatinib met the regulatory criteria for bioequivalence to the reference formulation in these healthy fasting male volunteers. Both formulations were generally well tolerated and appeared to have a similar adverse-event profile.