Comparative bioavailability of three ibuprofen formulations in healthy human volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the bioequivalence of three ibuprofen formulations (Test formulation: ibuprofen (400 mg capsule) manufactured by Cardinal Health Brasil 402 Ltda. (Sorocaba, Brazil) and licensed to Boehringer Ingelheim do Brasil Quim. e Farm. Ltda. (SA poundo Paulo, Brazil); Reference formulation (1): ibuprofen (AdvilA(R); 2 A 200 mg coated tablet) from Wyeth-Whitehall Ltda. (Itapevi, Brazil); Reference formulation (2): ibuprofen (AliviumA; 8 ml A 50 mg/ml solution) from Schering Plough S.A. (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)) in 24 healthy volunteers of both sexes.


METHODS
The study was conducted using an open, randomized, three-period crossover design with at least 5-day washout interval. Plasma samples were obtained over a 24-h period. Plasma ibuprofen concentrations were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with negative ion electrospray ionization using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The following pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained from the ibuprofen plasma concentration vs. time curves: AUC(last), AUC(trunctmax), AUC(inf) and C(max).


RESULTS
The limit of quantification for ibuprofen was 0.1 microg A ml(1). The geometric mean with corresponding 90% confidence interval (CI) for Test/Reference (1) percent ratios were 114.24% (90% CI = 105.67, 123.50%) for C(max), 98.97% (90% CI = 94.69, 103.44%) for AUC(last) and 99.40% (90% CI = 95.21, 103.78%) for AUC(inf). The geometric mean and respective 90% confidence interval (CI) for Test/Reference (2) percent ratios were 108.38% (90% CI = 100.19, 117.25%) for C(max), 100.79% (90% CI = 96.39, 105.40%) for AUC(last) and 101.26% (90% CI = 96.94, 105.77%) for AUC(inf); t(max) for the 400 mg Test capsule was shorter than that for the 2 A 200 mg Reference (1) tablets (p < 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Since the 90% CI for AUC(last), AUC(inf) and Cmax ratios were within the 80 - 125% interval proposed by the US FDA, it was concluded that ibuprofen formulation manufactured by Cardinal Health Brasil 402 Ltda. and licensed to Boehringer Ingelheim do Brasil Quim. e Farm. Ltda. is bioequivalent to the AdvilA and AliviumA formulations with regard to both the rate and the extent of absorption.
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), SP, Brazil. gugamendes@terra.com.br
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Mendes
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Mendes
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Domingues
R A de
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Oliveira
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da Silva
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Chen
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Ilha
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Fernandes
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Nucci
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001682:Biological Availability; D002214:Capsules; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004304:Dosage Forms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013607:Tablets; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002214:Capsules; D004304:Dosage Forms; D013607:Tablets; D007052:Ibuprofen