Introduction: The present study was conducted to compare the bioavailability of two candesartan cilexetil 16 mg tablet formulations (test and reference formulations).
Materials and methods: This study was a randomized, single- blind, two-period, cross-over study which included 24 healthy adult male and female subjects under fasting conditions. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined based on the concentrations of candesartan (CAS 139481-59-7), using ultra-pressure high-performance liquid chromatography with a tandem mass spectrometer detector. In each of the two study periods (separated by a washout period of 1 week), a single dose of test or reference product was administered. The pharmacokinetic parameters assessed were area under the plasma concentration time curve (AUC) from time 0 hours to 24 hours, AUC from time zero to infinity, the peak plasma concentration of the drug (Cmax), time to achieve the Cmax, and the elimination half-life.
Results: The geometric mean ratios (90% confidence interval) of the test drug/reference drug for candesartan were 100.92% (92.15%-110.52%) for the AUC from 0 hours to 24 hours, 100.24% (92.24%-108.95%) for the AUC from time zero to infinity, and 106.71% (93.20%-122.18%) for the Cmax. The differences between the test and reference product in the time to achieve Cmax values and elimination half-life values were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The 90% confidence intervals of the test/reference AUC ratio and Cmax ratio of candesartan were within the acceptance range for bioequivalence. There was no adverse event encountered during this bioequivalence study.
Conclusion: It was concluded that the two candesartan tablet formulations (the test and reference product) were bioequivalent.
Keywords: angiotensin-2 receptor antagonist; antihypertension; bioavailability; bioequivalence; candesartan; pharmacokinetics.