The relative bioavailability and fasting pharmacokinetics of three formulations of olmesartan medoxomil 20-mg capsules and tablets in healthy Chinese male volunteers: An open-label, randomized-sequence, single-dose, three-way crossover study.
BACKGROUND
Olmesartan medoxomil is an angiotensin II-receptor antagonist used in the treatment of hypertension. It is a prodrug and is converted to the pharmacologically active compound on de-esterification by arylesterase in the gastrointestinal tract.


OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the relative bioavailability and fasting pharmacokinetic properties of olmesartan after single doses of a 20-mg test tablet, a 20-mg test capsule, and a commercially available 20-mg reference tablet in healthy Chinese male volunteers. The study was conducted to satisfy Chinese State Food and Drug Administration regulatory requirements for approval of a generic formulation of olmesartan medoxomil.


METHODS
This study had an open-label, randomized-sequence, single-dose, 3-treatment, 3-period crossover design. Healthy volunteers were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive a single 20-mg dose of the test tablet, test capsule, or reference tablet, each administered after a 12-hour overnight fast, followed by a 1-week washout period and administration of the alternate formulation. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at 0.5, 1, 1.5,2,2.5,3,4,6,8,12,24,36, and 48 hours after dosing. Tolerability was assessed based on vital signs and laboratory values obtained before and after administration of study drug. The formulations were assumed to be bioequivalent if the 90% CIs for the log-transformed ratios of C(max), AUC(0-t), and AUC(0-∞) were within the predetermined equivalence range (70%-143% for C(max); 80%-125% for AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-∞)), as established by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration.


RESULTS
Twenty-one healthy male subjects (mean age, 21 years [range, 18-25 years]; weight, 62.1 kg [range, 54.0-80.0 kg]) were enrolled in and completed the study. No period or sequence effect was observed. The mean AUC(0-∞) values for the test tablet, test capsule, and reference tablet were 3993 (1070), 3567 (850), and 3849 (872) ng/mL/h, respectively. The 90% CIs for the log-transformed ratios of test tablet to reference tablet for C(max), AUC(0-48), and AUC(0-∞) were 103.9 to 124.9, 94.0 to 111.5, and 94.4 to 111.7, respectively (all, P = NS). The corresponding 90% CIs for the log-transformed ratios of test capsule to reference tablet were 90.8 to 109.2, 84.9 to 107.9, and 85.1 to 100.7 (all, P = NS). Ten adverse events were reported during the study; 7 subjects complained of pain during blood sampling, and 3 had a blocked venous catheter. No treatment-related adverse events were reported or observed.


CONCLUSIONS
In this single-dose crossover study in healthy Chinese male volunteers, the test and reference formulations of olmesartan medoxomil 20-mg capsules and tablets met the regulatory criteria for assuming bioequivalence. The 3 formulations were well tolerated.
Li
Kun-Yan
KY
Center of New Drug Clinical Trials, Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
Liang
Jian-Ping
JP
Hu
Bing-Qiang
BQ
Qiu
Yu
Y
Luo
Chen-Hui
CH
Jiang
Yun
Y
Lin
Xiao-Ping
XP
Yang
Nong
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001682:Biological Availability; D002214:Capsules; D002681:China; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005215:Fasting; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008297:Male; D000068557:Olmesartan Medoxomil; D011355:Prodrugs; D013607:Tablets; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency; D055815:Young Adult
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D002214:Capsules; D007093:Imidazoles; D011355:Prodrugs; D013607:Tablets; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000068557:Olmesartan Medoxomil