Methylphenidate Multiphasic Release Tablet: Bioequivalence Assessment between Two Formulations Administered under Fasting and Fed Conditions.

Methylphenidate hydrochloride is used to treat children, adolescents, and adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Multiphasic release formulation has been used to control drug levels, mainly during children's school period. This study aimed to evaluate the bioequivalence between two methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets to meet regulatory requirements for registration in Brazil. Two independent studies (under fasting and fed conditions) designed as open-label, randomized, single-dose, two-period, two-way crossover trials were conducted in healthy subjects of both genders. Subjects were enrolled and randomly received a single dose of the test formulation methylphenidate hydrochloride 54 mg extended-release tablet (Consiv®, Adium S.A., São Paulo, Brazil) or the reference formulation (Concerta®, Janssen-Cilag Farmacêutica Ltd., São Paulo, Brazil), in each period, with a 7-day washout interval. Serial blood samples were collected up to 24 h post dose and methylphenidate plasma concentrations were obtained using a validated LC-MS/MS method. A total of 96 healthy subjects were enrolled in the fasting study, of which 80 completed the study. For the fed study, 52 healthy subjects were enrolled, and 46 subjects completed it. In both studies, 90% confidence intervals for Cmax, AUC0-t, AUC0-inf, and partial AUCs were within the acceptable limits of 80.00 to 125.00%. Thus, according to regulatory requirements, the test formulation (Consiv®) was considered to be bioequivalent to the reference formulation (Concerta®) in both conditions (fasting and fed) and, therefore, it can be considered interchangeable in clinical practice. Both formulations were safe and well tolerated in single-dose administration.

Development and validation of an LC-ESI-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of naproxen and sumatriptan in human plasma: application to a pharmacokinetic study.

A sensitive and fast liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of naproxen and sumatriptan in human plasma. A simple liquid-liquid extraction procedure, with a mixture of ethyl acetate, methyl tert-butyl ether, and dichloromethane (4:3:3, v/v), was used for the cleanup of plasma. Naratriptan and aceclofenac were employed as internal standards. The analyses were carried out using an ACE C18 column (50 × 4.6 mm i.d.; particle size 5 µm) and a mobile phase consisting of 2 mM aqueous ammonium acetate with 0.025 % formic acid and methanol (38:62, v/v). A triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray source in the positive mode was set up in the selective reaction monitoring mode to detect the ion transitions m/z 231.67 → m/z 185.07, m/z 296.70 → m/z 157.30, m/z 354.80 → m/z 215.00, and m/z 336.80 → m/z 97.94 for naproxen, sumatriptan, aceclofenac, and naratriptan, respectively. The method was validated and proved to be linear, accurate, precise, and selective over the ranges of 2.5-130 µg mL(-1) for naproxen and 1-50 ng mL(-1) for sumatriptan. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study with simultaneous administration of naproxen sodium and sumatriptan succinate tablet formulations in healthy volunteers.

Estudo de bioequivalência entre duas formulações de pregabalina 150 mg cápsulas em voluntários sadios / Bioequivalence study between two formulations of pregabalin 150 mg capsules in healthy volunteers

A biodisponibilidade de pregabalina em duas formulações diferentes de cápsulas gelatinosas duras de 150 mg foi comparada por meio de um estudo de bioequivalência de dose única, randomizado, aberto, cruzado em dois períodos e com 36 voluntários brasileiros, sadios, do sexo masculino. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas durante um período de 48 horas e o plasma obtido foi mantido congelado até o momento de análise. As concentrações plasmáticas de pregabalina foram determinadas utilizando um método de HPLC-MS/MS validado. A separação cromatográfica foi obtida com fase móvel composta por tampão acetato de amônio 2 mM com 0,025% de ácido fórmico e metanol (3:7 v/v), com fluxo de 1,5 mL/min. A coluna cromatográfica empregada foi ACE 5 C18 (100 x 4,6mm) e o tempo total de corrida foi 2,5 minutos. A detecção por espectrometria de massas foi realizada utilizando-se ionização por electrospray no modo positivo. Os intervalos com 90% de confiança para concentração plasmática máxima (Cmax) e área sob a curva (ASC0-t) foram determinados utilizando os dados após transformação logarítmica. As formulações teste e referência foram consideradas bioequivalentes, uma vez que os intervalos com 90% de confiança para a média geométrica da razão teste/referência ficaram compreendidos na faixa de 80% a 125%, conforme preconizado pelo Food and Drug Administration (FDA) e a Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). O intervalo com 90% de confiança para as razões das médias geométricas para Cmax foi 99,90% (92,85%-107,49%) e para ASC0-t foi 102,61% (100,69-104,56%). Desta forma, as cápsulas de pregabalina 150 mg testadas (Zodiac Produtos Farmacêuticos S.A.) foram bioequivalentes às cápsulas de Lyrica® 150 mg (Laboratórios Pfizer), de acordo com taxa e extenção de absorção...

Determinação simplificada de carbamazepina, fenitoína, fenobarbital e lamotrigina em plasma emonitoração terapêutica por HPLC/PDA / Simplified determination of carbamazepine, phenytoin,phenobarbital and lamotrigine in plasma and therapeuticmonitoring by HPLC/PDA

Carbamazepina, fenitoína, fenobarbital e lamotrigina são bem conhecidos como fármacos anticonvulsivantes usados para o tratamento da epilepsia. A utilização destes fármacos é associada a várias reações adversas, tornando necessário o controle terapêutico. Os ensaios foram realizados por meio de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e o método de extração utilizado foi o líquido-líquido. Os fármacos e o padrão interno de zolpidem foram separados por uma coluna de fase reversa (ACE5, C18150x 4,6 mm d.i.). A fase móvel constituída de acetonitrila (30%) e ácido cítrico/tampão fosfato pH 5,0 (70%) foi utilizada sob gradiente de fluxo de 0,7 a 1,2 mL/min e o comprimento de onda utilizado para a detecção dos analitos foi fixado em 210 nm. A técnica apresentou linearidade ao longo do intervalo de 0,5 a 20,0μg/mL para carbamazepina/lamotrigina e de 2,0 a 64,0 μg/mL, para fenitoina/fenobarbital com coeficiente de correlação linear maior que 0,98. As amostras de sangue foram obtidas de pacientes adultos com diagnóstico de epilepsia em acompanhamento no Ambulatório Municipal de Psiquiatria de Goiânia. A média de recuperação obtida foi de 96,8% a 108,5% para carbamazepina/lamotrigina e de 93,8% a 108,8% para a fenitoina/fenobarbital. Os limites de quantificação, precisão (CV< 15,0 %)e exatidão (E > 85,0 %) demonstraram estar em conformidade com as exigências da ANVISA. Nove pacientes foram avaliados para confirmar a validade do método.

Carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and lamotrigine are well known anticonvulsant drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy. However, these medications are associated with side effects and therefore require therapeutic monitoring. Blood samples of adult outpatients diagnosed with epilepsy at the Goiânia Municipal Psychiatry Clinic (Brazil) were collected and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The analytes and internal standard (zolpidem) were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction. A reversed phase column (ACE 5, C18, 150 x 4.6 mm i.d.) was used. The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile (30%) and citric acid/phosphate buffer, pH 5.0 (70%). The gradient flow rate was from 0.7 to 1.2 mL/min and the detection wavelength was set at 210 nm for all analytes. The analysis revealed a linear range from 0.5 to 20.0μg/mL for carbamazepine/lamotrigine and 2.0 to 64.0 μg/mL for phenytoin/phenobarbital. Mean recovery ranged from 96.8% to 108.5% for carbamazepine/lamotrigine and 93.8% to 108.8% for phenytoin/phenobarbital. The quantification limit, precision (CV < 15%) and accuracy (A >85%) proved to be in accordance with the requirements stipulated by the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). Nine outpatients were evaluated to confirm the validity of the method.

Estudo de bioequivalência entre duas formulações de ciprofibrato 100 mg comprimidos em voluntários sadios após administração de dose única / Bioequivalence study between two formulations of ciprofibrate 100 mg tablets in healthy volunteers after single dose administration

A comparação da biodisponibilidade de duas formulações de ciprofibrato 100 mg comprimidos (ciprofibrato 100 mg - Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos S/A, formulação teste, e Oroxadin® 100 mg - Sanofi-Aventis Farmacêutica Ltda., formulação referência) foi realizada por meio de um estudo de bioequivalência em 52 voluntários sadios. O estudo foi realizado através de um delineamento aberto, randomizado, em dose única, cruzado em dois períodos e com tempo de washout de nove semanas. As amostras de plasma foram obtidas durante um intervalo de tempo de 72 horas. As concentrações plasmáticas de ciprofibrato foram determinadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência com detecção por espectrometria de massas (CLAE-MS/MS), com ionização por electrospray em modo positivo. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos área sob a curva (ASC0-72), concentração plasmática máxima (Cmax) e tempo máximo (Tmax) foram obtidos a partir da curva de concentração plasmática do ciprofibrato versus tempo. As razões das médias geométricas com intervalo de confiança 90% após transformação logarítmica foram 89,43% (85,09% - 93,99%) para Cmax e 97,23% (94,73% - 99,79%) para ASC0-72. As formulações teste e referência são consideradas bioequivalentes se os intervalos com 90% de confiança para a média geométrica da razão teste/referência ficarem compreendidos na faixa de 80% a 125%. Dessa forma os comprimidos de ciprofibrato 100 mg testados (Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos S/A) foram bioequivalentes aos comprimidos de Oroxadin® 100 mg, de acordo com taxa e extenção de absorção.

Determination of 3-α-hydroxytibolone in human plasma by LC-MS/MS: application for a pharmacokinetic study after administration of a tibolone formulation.

A new method was developed for the quantitation of 3-α-hydroxy tibolone, in human plasma, after oral administration of a tablet formulation containing tibolone (2.5 mg). 3-α-Hydroxy tibolone was extracted by a liquid-liquid procedure, using cyproterone acetate as internal standard and chlorobutane as extraction solvent. After extraction, samples were submitted to a derivatization step with p-toluenesulfonyl isocyanate. A mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water (72:28 v/v) was used and chromatographic separation was achieved using Agilent XDB C18 column (100 × 4.6 mm i.d.; 5 µm particle size), at 40°C. Mass spectrometric detection was performed using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in negative mode for 3-α-hydroxy tibolone and in positive mode for cyproterone acetate. The fragmentation transitions were m/z 510.2 → m/z 170.1 and m/z 417.0 → m/z 357.1 for 3-α-hydroxy tibolone and cyproterone acetate, respectively. Calibration curves were constructed over the range 100-30,000 pg/mL and the method was shown to be specific, precise and accurate, with a mean recovery rate of 94.2% for 3-α-hydroxy tibolone. No matrix effect or carry-over was detected in the samples. The validated method was applied in a pharmacokinetic study with a tibolone formulation in healthy female volunteers.

Comparação da bioequivalência entre duas formulações de dicloridrato de betaistina 24 mg comprimidos em voluntários sadios após a administração de dose única / Comparison of the bioequivalence between two formulations of betahistine hydrochloride 24 mg tablets in healthy volunteers after a single dose dministration

A biodisponibilidade de uma dose única de dicloridrato de betaistina em comprimidos de 24 mg produzidos por Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos S.A. foi comparada com o medicamento referência (à época do estudo) dicloridrato de betaistina 24 mg (Labirin®, Apsen Farmacêutica S.A.). Um estudo de dose única, randomizado, aberto, cruzado em dois períodos foi realizado em 34 voluntários brasileiros, sadios, de ambos os gêneros. Dezenove coletas de sangue foram realizadas durante 24 horas. As amostras foram mantidas congeladas até o momento de análise. As concentrações plasmáticas de ácido 2-piridilacético, um metabólito da betaistina, foram determinadas utilizando um método de CLAE-EM/EM validado. Os intervalos com 90% de confiança para concentração plasmática máxima (Cmáx) e área sob a curva (ASC0-t) foram determinados utilizando os dados após transformação logarítmica. As formulações teste e referência foram consideradas bioequivalentes se os intervalos com 90% de confiança para a média geométrica da razão teste/referência ficassem compreendidos na faixa de 80% a 125%. Os intervalos com 90% de confiança para as razões das médias geométricas para Cmáx foi 105,18% (97,31%-113,70%) e para ASC0-t foi 99,33% (95,55%-103,26%). Em conclusão, os comprimidos de dicloridrato de betaistina 24 mg testados (Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos S.A.) foram bioequivalentes aos comprimidos de Labirin® 24 mg, de acordo com taxa e extensão de absorção.

A rapid and sensitive HPLC-APCI-MS/MS method determination of fluticasone in human plasma: application for a bioequivalency study in nasal spray formulations.

A sensitive method for the determination of fluticasone in plasma was developed using high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection, whereas beclomethasone was used as internal standard. The analytes were extracted with a simple liquid-liquid extraction from the plasma samples and separated on an ACE C(18) 50 × 4.6 mm i.d.; 5 µm particle size column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile - 0.01% formic acid (48:52, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Detection was achieved by an Applied Biosystems API 5000 mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) set at unit resolution in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) was used for ion production. The mean recovery for fluticasone propionate was 85%, with a lower limit of quantification set at 2 pg/mL. The validated analytical method was applied to a bioequivalence study of fluticasone propionate administered by nasal spray formulations in human volunteers.

Quantitation of glucosamine sulfate in plasma by HPLC-MS/MS after administration of powder for oral solution formulation.

A rapid method for the quantification of glucosamine in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated. The sample preparation includes a simple deproteinization step, using D-[1-¹³C] glucosamine hydrochloride as an internal standard. Chromatographic separation was performed on an ACE Ciano column using isocratic elution with acetonitrile and aqueous 2 mM ammonium acetate containing 0.025% formic acid (80:20). Selected reaction monitoring was performed using the transitions m/z 180.1 → m/z 72.1 and m/z 181.0 → m/z 74.6 to quantify glucosamine and internal standard, respectively. The method was validated and proved to be linear, accurate and precise over the range 50-5000 ng/mL of glucosamine. Recovery rates higher than 90% were obtained for both glucosamine and internal standard. No matrix effect was detected in the samples. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of a powder for oral solution formulation containing glucosamine sulfate.

Development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantitation of levodopa and carbidopa in human plasma.

A sensitive and fast high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantitation of levodopa and carbidopa in human plasma was developed and validated. A simple protein precipitation step with perchloric acid was used for the cleanup of plasma, and methyldopa was added as an internal standard. The analyses were carried out using an ACE C(18) column (50 × 4.6 mm i.d.; 5 µm particle size) and a mobile phase consisting of 0.2% formic acid and acetonitrile (90:10). The triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray source in positive mode was set up in the selective reaction monitoring mode to detect the ion transitions m/z 198.1 → m/z 107.0, m/z 227.2 → m/z 181.0, and m/z 212.1 → m/z 139.2 for levodopa, carbidopa, and methyldopa, respectively. The method was validated and proved to be linear, accurate, and precise over the range 50-5000 ng/mL for levodopa and 3-600 ng/mL for carbidopa. The proposed method was successfully applied in a pharmacokinetic study with a levodopa/carbidopa tablet formulation in healthy volunteers.

Simultaneous quantitation of levodopa and 3-O-methyldopa in human plasma by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS: application for a pharmacokinetic study with a levodopa/benserazide formulation.

A sensitive and simple method was developed for the quantitation of levodopa and its metabolite 3-O-methyldopa, in human plasma, after oral administration of tablet formulations containing levodopa (200 mg) and benserazide (50 mg). The analytes were extracted by a protein precipitation procedure, using carbidopa as an internal standard. A mobile phase consisting of 0.2% formic acid and acetonitrile (94:6, v/v) was used and chromatographic separation was achieved using ACE C(18) column (50 mm×4.6 mm i.d.; 5 µm particle size). Selected reaction monitoring was performed using the fragmentation transitions m/z 198→m/z 107, m/z 212→m/z 166 and m/z 227→m/z 181 for levodopa, 3-O-methyldopa and carbidopa, respectively. Calibration curves were constructed over the range 50.0-6000.0 ng/mL for levodopa and 25.0-4000.0 ng/mL for 3-O-methyldopa. The method shown to be specific, precise, accurate and provided recovery rates higher than 85% for all analytes. No matrix effect was detected in the samples. The validated method was applied in a pharmacokinetic study with a levodopa/benserazide tablet formulation in healthy volunteers.

Determination of triamcinolone in human plasma by a sensitive HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method: application for a pharmacokinetic study using nasal spray formulation.

A liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method for the quantitation of triamcinolone in human plasma after nasal spray application was developed and validated. Betamethasone was used as internal standard (IS). The analytes were extracted by a liquid-liquid procedure and separated on a Zorbax Eclipse XDB C(18) column with a mobile phase composed of 2 mM aqueous ammonium acetate pH 3.2 and acetonitrile (55:45). Selected reaction monitoring was performed using the transitions m/z 435 → 415 and m/z 393 → 373 to quantify triamcinolone acetonide and betamethasone, respectively. Calibration curve was constructed over the range of 20-2000 pg/ml for triamcinolone acetonide. The lower limit of quantitation was 20 pg/ml. The mean RSD values were 4.6% and 5.7% for the intra-run and inter-run precision, respectively. The mean accuracy value was 98.5% and a recovery rate corresponding to 97.5% was achieved. No matrix effect was detected in the samples. The validated method was successfully applied to determine the plasma concentrations of triamcinolone acetonide in healthy volunteers, in a pharmacokinetic study with nasal spray formulation.