• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.50-60
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• 2009

Highly variable drugs (within-subject variability greater than 30%) have been difficult to meet current regulatory acceptance criteria using a reasonable number of study subjects. In this study, we reviewed previous studies presenting alternative approaches for bioequivalence evaluation of highly variable drugs, and focused on an approach for widening the bioequivalence acceptance limits using within-subject variability. We discussed the suggested five solutions for highly variable drug including the deletion of $C_{max}$ of the bioequivalence criteria, direct expansion of bioequivalence limit, multiple dose studies in steady state, bioequivalence assessment on the metabolite, add-on study, and widening the bioequivalence acceptance limits based on reference variability. The methods for widening of bioequivalence limits based on reference variability are scaled average bioequivalence containing within-subject variability on reference drug (${\sigma}_{WR}$), population bioequivalence derived from total variability on reference drug (${\sigma}_{TR}$) and test drug (${\sigma}_{TT}$), and individual bioequivalence derived from subject by formulation interaction variability (${\sigma}_D$) and within subject variability on reference drug (${\sigma}_{WR}$) and test drug (${\sigma}_{TR}$). To apply these methods, the switching variability (${\sigma}_0$) will have to be set by the regulatory authorities. The proposals of bioequivalence evaluation approach for the highly variable in Korea are presented for both of new drug and reevaluation drug.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.529-540
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• 2004

After new medical system of separation of dispensary from medical practice was started in 2000 in Korea, to expand bioequivalence-proven drug products and to ensure the credibility of the therapeutic equivalence of generic drugs are hot issues in Korea. It will be obligatory to submit bioequivalence reports for getting licenses of all generic prescription drugs in the near future. Like other countries such as US and Japan, the KFDA also has a plan to re-evaluate the already approved drugs by bioequivalence studies. Therefore, it becomes more necessary to develop bioequivalence-demonstrating methods for specific preparations such as topical drug products among already approved drug products. There are some differences between US and Japanese guidances of bioequivalence studies of generic drug products for topical use. The information on Japanese guidance and the guidance's Q&As is already provided in our previous paper. In this paper, we examined the US guideline published in 1995 and compared with the Japanese guideline, which will give a useful information to make a guidance on bioequivalence studies of topical drug products in Korea.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 2004

A new medical system of separation of dispensary from medical practice was started in 2000 in Korea. To expand bioequivalence-proven drug products and to ensure the credibility of the therapeutic equivalence of generic drug are hot issues in Korea. The KFDA also has a plan to revise the pharmaceutical affairs law that bioequivalence reports of all the generic prescription drugs should be submitted to the KFDA in the application for drug approval. Therefore, it becomes more necessary to develop bioequivalence-demonstrating methods for specific preparations such as topical drug products. There are some differences between US and Japanese guidances of bioequivalence studies of generic drug products for topical use. In this paper, we examined the recently published Japanese guideline, Guideline for Bioequivalence Studies of Generic Products For Topical Uses, and Q&A of the guideline, which will be references to make a guidance on bioequivalence studies of topical drug products in Korea.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.63-66
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• 2010

The "Guidance Document for Bioequivalence Study" was revised for adding to bioequivalence studies of controlled-release products after meal(Korea Food & Drug Administration Notification #2008-22, 2008.5.7). The bioequivalence study design for controlled-release products is $2{\times}2$ crossover under fast and fed condition in respect. For studies of controlled-release products under fed study, the same high-fat diet should be taken within 20 minutes in at least a 10-hour fasting state. The drug products should be administered 30 minutes after the meal started. A high-fat(more than 35 percent of total caloric content of the meal) and high-calorie(over 900 calories) meal is recommended as a test meal for fed BE studies.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-12
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• 2012

Background: Cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride, is an ester-type oral cephem antibiotic. This study was performed to compare the pharmacokinetics and evaluate the bioequivalence of two cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride 75 mg formulations. Method: In a randomized $2{\times}2$ crossover study, sixty healthy male volunteers were randomly assigned into two groups. After a single dose of 75 mg cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride oral administration, blood samples were collected at specific time intervals from 0-12 hours. The plasma concentrations of cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride were determined by LC-MS/MS. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined from the plasma concentration-time profiles of both formulations. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_{last}$, $AUC_{inf}$ and $C_{max}$, were calculated and the 90% confidence intervals for test/reference ratio for pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained by analysis of variance on logarithmically transformed data. Results: The mean value for $AUC_{last}$ in test and reference drug was $4053.1{\pm}876.5\;ng{\cdot}hr/mL$ and $3595.7{\pm}1029.1\;ng{\cdot}h/mL$, respectively. The mean value for $C_{max}$ in test and reference drug was $1324.9{\pm}321.4$ ng/mL and $1159.1{\pm}335.9$ ng/mL, respectively. The 90% confidence intervals of the $AUC_{last}$ and $C_{max}$ ratio for test drug and reference drug were log 1.09-log1.22 and log 1.09-log1.24, respectively. No adverse events were reported by subjects or found on analysis of vital signs or laboratory tests. Conclusion: This single dose study found that the test and reference products met the regulatory criteria for bioequivalence in these health volunteers. Both formulations were safe and well tolerated in 75 mg of cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.299-305
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• 2008

Gabapentin, 1-(aminomethyl) cyclohexaneacetic acid, is a amino acid derivative, and is clinically effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain and partial seizures of epilepsy as a complementary therapy. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two gabapentin tablets, $Neurontin^{R}$ tablet 800 mg (Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.) and Gabapenin tablet 800 mg (Hanmi Pharm. Co., Ltd.), according to the guidelines of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The release of gabapentin from the two gabapentin formulations in vitro was tested using KP VIII Apparatus II method with 0.06 M HCI dissolution media. Twenty six healthy male subjects, $23.85{\pm}2.24$ years in age and $69.40{\pm}11.11$ kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ crossover study was employed. After a single tablet containing 800 mg as gabapentin was orally administered, blood samples were taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of gabapentin in serum were determined using HPLC with fluorescence detector. The dissolution profiles of two formulations were similar in the tested dissolution media. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_{t}$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were calculated, and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_{t}$, $C_{max}$ and untransformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences between two formulations based on the reference drug, $Neurontin^{R}$, were 1.28%, 0.63% and 0.62% for $AUC_{t}$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two formulations in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log 0.8 to log 1.25 (e.g., $log0.9097{\sim}log1.1598$ and $log0.8919{\sim}log1.1262$ for $AUC_{t}$ and $C_{max}$, respectively). Thus, the criteria of the KFDA bioequivalence guideline were satisfied, indicating Gabapenin tablet 800 mg was bioequivalent to $Neurontin^{R}$ tablet 800 mg.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.521-527
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• 2004

Cimetidine is a histamine $H_2-receptor$ antagonist, used for the treatment of endoscopically or radiographically comfirmed duodenal ulcer, pathologic GI hypersecretory conditions, and active, benign and gastric ulcer. Simple method for determining cimetidine in human plasma has been developed and validated. The analytical procedure for cimetidine showed a linear relationship in the concentration ranges from $0.05\;to\;5\;{\mu}g/ml$. Coefficient of variance (CV, %) for intraday and interday validation and relative error (RE, %) were less than ${\pm}15%$. Based on this analytical method, the bioequivalence of two cimetidine 400 mg tablets, reference (Tagamet 400 mg) and test drug (Sinil CIMETIDINE 400 mg) was evaluated according to the guidelines set by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Release of cimetidine from the tablets in vitro was tested using KP VIII Apparatus II with various dissolution media (pH 1.2, 4.0, 6.8 buffer solutions and water). Twenty-four healthy volunteers, $21.38{\pm}1.86$ years in age and $68.71{\pm}8.68\;kg$ in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was performed. After oral administration of a tablet containing 400 mg of cimetidine, blood samples were taken at predetermined time intervals and concentrations of cimetidine in plasma were determined using HPLC equipped with UV detector. The dissolution profiles of the two tablet formulations were very similar at all dissolution media. In addition, pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA was employed for the statistical analysis of parameters. The results were revealed that the differences in $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$ between the two tablets were 4.17 % and 0.97% respectively. At 90% confidence intervals, the differences in these parameters were also within ${\pm}20%$. All of the above mentioned parameters have met the criteria of KFDA guidelines for bioequivalence, indicating that the test drug tablet (Sinil CIMETIDINE tablet) is bioequivalent to Tagamet 400 mg tablet.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 2008

Gabapentin, [1-(aminomethyl) cyclohexaneacetic acid], a structural analog of $\gamma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA), is being developed for the treatment of epilepsy. Unlike GABA, gabapentin crosses the blood-brain barrier after systemic administration. Gabapentin is an effective antiepileptic drug in patients with partial and secondarily generalized seizures who are uncontrolled with use of existing anticonvulsant drug therapy. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two gabapentin 400 mg capsules, $Neurontin^{(R)}$ capsule 400 mg (Pfizer Inc.) and Gabatin capsule 400 mg (Korean Drug Co. Ltd), according to the guidelines of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The release of gabapentin from the two gabapentin formulations in vitro was tested using KP VIII Apparatus II method with various dissolution media (pH 1.2, 4.0, 6.8 buffer solution and water). Twenty six healthy male subjects, 23.58$\pm$1.50 years in age and 66.74$\pm$8.31 kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized 2$\times$2 cross-over study was employed. After one capsule containing 400 mg as gabapentin were orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of gabapentin in serum were determined using HPLC with fluorescence detector. The dissolution profiles of two formulations were similar at all dissolution media. In addition, the pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and untransformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences between two formulations based on the reference drug, $Neurontin^{(R)}$ capsule 400 mg, were 2.04, -3.68 and 16.79% for $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two formulations in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log 0.8 to log 1.25 (e.g., log 0.91$\sim$log 1.16 and log 0.87$\sim$log 1.11 for $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$, respectively). Thus, the criteria of the KFDA bioequivalence guideline were satisfied, indicating Gabatin capsule 400 mg was bioequivalent to $Neurontin^{(R)}$ capsule 400 mg.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.188-194
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• 2008

Fexofenadine, ($\pm$)-4-1-hydroxy-4-{4-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1-piperidinyl}-butyl-a,a-dimethyl benzeneacetic acid, is a selective histamine $H_1$ receptor antagonist, and is clinically effective in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria as a first-line therapeutic agent. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two fexofenadine hydrochloride tablets, $Allegra^{(R)}$ (Handok Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.) and Alecort (Samchundang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), according to the guidelines of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The release of fexofenadine from the two fexofenadine hydrochloride formulations in vitro was tested using KP VIII Apparatus II method with various dissolution media. Twenty six healthy male subjects, 25.62$\pm$3.35 years in age and 70.05$\pm$11.71 kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized 2$\times$2 cross-over study was employed. After a single tablet containing 120 mg as fexofenadine hydrochloride was orally administered, blood samples were taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of fexofenadine in serum were determined using HPLC with fluorescence detector. The dissolution profiles of two formulations were similar in all tested dissolution media. The harmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were calculated, and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and untransformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences between two formulations based on the reference drug, $Allegra^{(R)}$, were -1.37, 5.22 and 16.50% for $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two formulations in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log 0.8 to log 1.25 (e.g., log 0.83$\sim$log 1.08 and log 0.81$\sim$log 1.03 for $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$, respectively). Thus, the criteria of the KFDA bioequivalence guideline were satisfied, indicating Alecort tablet was bioequivalent to $Allegra^{(R)}$ tablet.