Bioequivalence and Food Effect Assessment of Two Fixed-Dose Combination Formulations of Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets in Chinese Healthy Subjects

Clin Transl Sci. 2025 May;18(5):e70228. doi: 10.1111/cts.70228.

Abstract

This study assessed the bioequivalence and food effect of two fixed-dose combination (FDC) formulations of telmisartan-hydrochlorothiazide tablets (telmisartan 40 mg, hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg) in healthy Chinese subjects. Seventy-two subjects were enrolled and divided into fasted and fed cohorts in a single-center, randomized, open-label, single-dose, three-period, three-sequence, and crossover study. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide, including Cmax and AUC, were compared after subjects received single oral doses of telmisartan-hydrochlorothiazide tablets using a validated LC-MS/MS method. Safety and tolerability of treatments were monitored. Pharmacokinetic profiles of two FDC telmisartan-hydrochlorothiazide tablets were comparable after single-dose administration. 90% CI of geometric mean ratios (GMRs) of AUC0-t, AUC0-∞, and Cmax of telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide of two FDC formulations fell within the predefined bioequivalence range of 80.0%-125.0% under both fasted and fed conditions. Administration with food had significant effects on telmisartan pharmacokinetic parameters but a slight impact on hydrochlorothiazide. Notably, Cmax and AUC of telmisartan were significantly decreased by 39.6%-43.7% in the fed versus fasted conditions. Safety assessments revealed all treatments were safe and well tolerated. Two telmisartan-hydrochlorothiazide FDC formulations were bioequivalent in healthy Chinese subjects in both fasted and fed states. All treatments were well tolerated.

Keywords: bioequivalence; fixed‐dose combination (FDC); hydrochlorothiazide; pharmacokinetics; telmisartan.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Area Under Curve
  • Benzimidazoles* / administration & dosage
  • Benzimidazoles* / adverse effects
  • Benzimidazoles* / pharmacokinetics
  • Benzoates / administration & dosage
  • Benzoates / pharmacokinetics
  • China
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Drug Combinations
  • East Asian People
  • Fasting
  • Female
  • Food-Drug Interactions*
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Hydrochlorothiazide* / administration & dosage
  • Hydrochlorothiazide* / adverse effects
  • Hydrochlorothiazide* / pharmacokinetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tablets
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Telmisartan* / administration & dosage
  • Telmisartan* / adverse effects
  • Telmisartan* / pharmacokinetics
  • Therapeutic Equivalency
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Benzimidazoles
  • Benzoates
  • Drug Combinations
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
  • Tablets
  • Telmisartan
  • telmisartan, hydrochlorothiazide drug combination

Supplementary concepts

  • Chinese people