title: Bioavailability of two manufacturers' sustained-release quinidine gluconate tablets at steady state.
abstract: Steady-state bioavailability of sustained-release quinidine gluconate tablets manufactured by two companies was compared in a crossover study. The tablets were Quinaglute Dura-Tabs, manufactured by Berlex Laboratories, Inc., and generic quinidine gluconate tablets, manufactured by Bolar Pharmaceutical Company. Sixteen healthy male volunteers were given multiple doses of the two products in randomized sequence. Blood samples were obtained immediately before administration of the seventh dose (hour 72) and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours after administration. Plasma samples were assayed for quinidine content by high-performance liquid chromatography. The tablets manufactured by Berlex provided statistically significantly higher plasma levels during the second half of the dosing interval (six to 12 hours postdose). A 29% difference in plasma levels was observed between the products at the end of the dosing interval. The Bolar quinidine gluconate tablets had a statistically significant lower area under the curve (AUC). The greatest difference in AUC occurred during the last six hours of the dosing period. The six- to 12-hour AUC for the Bolar tablets was 24% less than that for Berlex tablets. The generic tablets also achieved peak plasma level 31% sooner than did Quinaglute Dura-Tabs. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of the two products at steady state indicate that the Bolar quinidine gluconate tablet exhibited a more rapid onset of peak plasma levels and a more rapid decline to minimum plasma levels. In summary, the data from this multiple-dose study, performed using commercially available material, indicate that differences exist in pharmacokinetic performance of the products. However, the exact correlation between pharmacokinetic data and clinical effectiveness has not been established.
mesh_terms: D001682:Biological Availability; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011802:Quinidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D013607:Tablets
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D013607:Tablets; D011802:Quinidine; C016713:quinidine gluconate