Study of bioequivalence of two carbamazepine retard-release tablet formulations

Abstract

A study of the bioequivalence of two comercial carbamazepine retard-release formulations was carried out in 12 healthy volunteers. Studies of bioequivalence allow to compare the bioavailability of the innovator formulation with generic, alternative or branch formulations. In order to evaluate the bioequivalence, plasma carbamazepine concentration/time curves were obtained for the Tegretol® Retard Tablets –reference formulationand for the test formulation; the area under each curve and the maximum concentration were calculated. After the calculation, statistical analysis of data for the area under the curve of the Carbamazepine Retard Tablets –test formulation, was between 95.7% and 100.7 % and the maximum concentration of the test formulation was between 88.6% and 106.1%; both parameters with the 90% confidence interval. Since the acceptance range was determined to be between 80.0% and 125.0% of the reference formulation, we concluded from this study that the two formulations are bioequivalent.