Abstract
A bioequivalence study of $Roxithrin^{TM}$ tablet (Kukje Pharma. Ind. Co., Ltd.) to $Rulid^{TM}$ tablet (Han Dok Pharma. Ind. Co., Ltd.) was conducted according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Twenty four healthy male Korean volunteers received each medicine at the roxithromycin dose of 300 mg in a $2{\times}2$ crossover study. There was a one-week wash-out period between the doses. Plasma concentrations of roxithromycin were monitored by a high-performance liquid chromatography for over a period of 36 hours after drug administration. $AUC_t$ (the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to 36 hr) was calculated by the linear trapezoidal rule method. $C_{max}$ (maximum plasma drug concentration) and $T_{max}$ (time to reach $C_{max}$) were compiled from the plasma concentration-time data. Analysis of variance was carried out using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$. No significant sequence effect was found for all of the bioavailability parameters indicating that the cross-over design was properly performed. The 90% confidence intervals of the $AUC_t$ ratio and the $C_{max}$ ratio for $Roxithrin^{TM}/Rulid^{TM}$ were 1.00 - 1.13 and 0.98 - 1.10, respectively. These values were within the acceptable bioequivalence intervals of 0.80 - 1.25. Thus, our study demonstrated the bioequivalence of $Roxithrin^{TM}$ and $Rulid^{TM}$ with respect to the rate and extent of absorption.
