Abstract
A bioequivalence study of $Bestidine^{TM}$ tablets (Choong Wae Pharma. Corp., Korea) to Dong-A $Gaster^{TM}$ (Dong-A Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Korea) tablets was conducted according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Twenty four healthy male Korean volunteers received each medicine at the famotidine dose of 40 mg in a $2{\times}2$ crossover study. There was a one-week wash out period between the doses. Plasma concentrations of famotidine were monitored by a high-performance liquid chromatography for over a period of 12 hours after the administration. $AUC_t$ (the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to 12 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 crossover design was properly performed. The 90% confidence intervals of the $AUC_t$ ratio and the Cmax ratio for $Bestidine^{TM}/Gaster^{TM}$ were log 0.90-log 1.06 and log 0.98-log 1.20, respectively. These values were within the acceptable bioequivalence intervals of 0.80-1.25. Thus, our study demonstrated the bioequivalence of $Bestidine^{TM}$ and $Gaster^{TM}$ with respect to the rate and extent of absorption.
