• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.285-290
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• 2001

Bioequivalence of two acetyl-1-carnitine tablets, test product (Carnitile tablet: Hanmi Pharm. Co., Ltd.) and reference product (Nicetil $e^{R}$ tablet: Dong-A Pharm. Co., Ltd.), was evaluated according to the guide- lines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Twenty-six healthy volunteers were divided randomly into two groups and administered the drug orally at the dose of 500 mg as acetyl-1-carnitine in a 2$\times$2 crossover study. Blood samples were taken at predetermined time intervals for 12 hours and the plasma concentration of acetyl-1-carnitine was determined using HPLC by derivatization with p-bromophenacyl bromide. The pearmacokinetic parameters (AU $C_{0-}$12h/ $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$) were calculated and ANOVA was utilized for the statistical analysis of parameters. The apparent differences of these parameters between two drugs were less than 20% (i.e., 1.26,-5.08 and 8.59% for AU $C_{0-}$12h/ $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, respectively). The powers (1-$\beta$) for AU $C_{0-}$12h/ $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, and Tmax were over 0.9. Minimal detectable difference ($\Delta$) at $\alpha$=0.05, 1-$\beta$=0.8 were less than 20% (i.e.,7.31, 14.88 and 11.77% for AU $C_{0-}$12h/ $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, respectively). The confidence intervals ($\delta$) for these parameters were also within $\pm$ 20% (i.e.,-3.03$\leq$$\delta$$\leq$5.54, -13.80$\leq$$\delta$$\leq$3.64 and 1.69$\leq$$\delta$$\leq$15.48 for AU $C_{0-}$12h/ $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, respectively). These results satisfied the criteria of KFDA guideline for bioequivalence, indicating Carnitile bioequivalent to Nicetil $e^{R}$ .TEX>$^{R}$ .> R/ . R/ .