Evaluation of the food effect on a drospirenone only contraceptive containing 4 mg administered with and without high-fat breakfast in a randomised trial.

Background: The objective of the present trial was to assess the difference in pharmacokinetics (PK) of an oral test preparation containing 4 mg drospirenone (DRSP) under fasting conditions compared to PK upon food intake after single dose administration.

Methods: Open label, single centre, two-treatment, two-sequence, crossover study in 24 healthy female volunteers, with duration of 1 day per sequence and with a real wash-out period of 14 days to investigate the relative bioavailability of DRSP with both forms of administration. The 90% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the intra-individual ratio (test with food vs.

Safety, influence on the endometrium, sonographic changes and bleeding profile after 13 cycles with the new drospirenone only pill (DOP) for contraception.

Background: The primary objective of the present trial was to assess the endometrial safety of a new oral contraceptive containing 4 mg drospirenone for a total duration of 13 cycles of 28 days each: 24 days of active treatment followed by 4 days placebo treatment per treatment cycle.

Materials And Methods: This was a single-center, open-label, multiple-dose study on healthy female subjects at risk of pregnancy. Twenty one (= safety population set) pre-menopausal female Caucasian subjects started treatment with the study medication.

Comparative pharmacokinetic estimates of drospirenone alone and in combination with ethinyl estradiol after single and repeated oral administration in healthy females.

Objective: To determine the pharmacokinetics (PK) of drospirenone (DRSP), alone versus in combination with ethinyl estradiol (EE), after single and repeated administration.

Study Design: We conducted a single-centre, open-label, crossover, 2-treatment, 2-period, 2-sequence study in which non-micronized DRSP 4 mg or a combination of DRSP 3 mg and EE 0.02 mg were administered to healthy female subjects on day 1 to obtain a single-dose kinetic profile, and from day 4 to day 15 to obtain a repeated-dose kinetic profile.

Pharmacodynamic equivalence study of two preparations of eye drops containing dorzolamide and timolol in healthy volunteers.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the pharmacodynamic equivalence (lowering of intraocular pressure) of two preparations of eye drops containing 20 mg dorzolamide (CAS 120279-96-1) and 5 mg timolol (CAS 26839-75-8).

Method: The study was conducted as a monocentric, observer-blinded, randomized, single-dose, two-period crossover study in 38 healthy volunteers. Each volunteer received on day 1 in each period in a random way a single dose of 1 drop of the test or the reference formulation in the conjunctival sac of the right eye separated by a wash-out period of 7 days.

Switching epoetin alfa and epoetin zeta in patients with renal anemia on dialysis: Posthoc analysis.

Introduction: epoetin zeta is a recently introduced recombinant erythropoietin, designed to be biologically similar to epoetin alfa. This posthoc analysis evaluated the impact of switching patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis from epoetin alfa to epoetin zeta, or vice versa, on hemoglobin concentration, epoetin dose, and patient safety.

Methods: data were analyzed from three published trials: two 24-week randomized, double-blind (maintenance and induction) studies and a 56-week, open-label, follow-on study involving adult patients with CKD stage 5, maintained on hemodialysis, and receiving epoetin alfa or epoetin zeta.

Therapeutic equivalence of epoetin zeta and alfa, administered subcutaneously, for maintenance treatment of renal anemia.

Introduction: The primary objective of the trial was to prove the therapeutic equivalence of epoetin zeta to epoetin alfa when administered subcutaneously for maintaining target hemoglobin (Hb) in patients with renal anemia on chronic hemodialysis. Additional information was provided on the safety and tolerability of epoetin zeta with particular focus on the formation of anti-erythropoietin antibodies.

Methods: A total of 462 patients were randomized to either epoetin zeta or alfa for 28 weeks after an open period of dose adjustment of 12-16 weeks with only epoetin zeta.

Influence of acarbose on blood glucose and breath hydrogen after carbohydrate load with sucrose or starch.

A monocentric, open, randomised, single-dose, six-period crossover trial was carried out in healthy volunteers under fasting conditions to establish the most appropriate study design for a pivotal bioequivalence trial with acarbose (CAS 56180-94-0) regarding a) dosage of the drug, b) type of carbohydrate load, c) type of primary endpoint, and d) sample size. 50 g sucrose or 50 g starch were used as carbohydrate load. Acarbose was administered in doses of 50 and 200 mg.

Bioequivalence study of two different clopidogrel bisulfate film-coated tablets.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two oral clopidogrel (CAS 113665-84-2) formulations.

Method: The study was conducted as a monocentric, open, randomized, single-dose, two-period crossover trial in 48 healthy volunteers with a duration of hospitalization of approximately 24 h after dosing on day 1 and with a real wash-out period of 7 days. Blood samples were collected for 24 h post dosing in each period.

Therapeutic effects of epoetin zeta in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anaemia.

Objective: To perform an open, non-controlled, multiple-dose, international, multicentre, phase III study to evaluate epoetin zeta, a biosimilar epoetin referenced to epoetin alfa, for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anaemia in patients with cancer.

Methods: Safety, tolerability and efficacy of subcutaneously administered epoetin zeta were assessed in 216 patients with solid tumours or non-myeloid haematological malignancies receiving chemotherapy and at risk of transfusion.

Results: A significant (p < 0.

Effect of epoetin zeta for correction of renal anemia in hemodialysis patients with thalassemia minor.

Two patients with thalassemia minor and end-stage renal failure on hemodialysis were treated with epoetin zeta (Silapo, Retacrit; STADA, Germany), a medicinal product that was developed and registered as biosimilar to epoetin alfa. Dosing was titrated individually for two patients to achieve a stable hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of 10.5-12.

Long-term safety and tolerability of epoetin zeta, administered intravenously, for maintenance treatment of renal anemia.

Introduction: The aim of this trial was to gather data on the long-term safety of a new erythropoietin preparation (epoetin zeta), focusing on the formation of anti-erythropoietin antibodies, when administered intravenously for maintenance of target hemoglobin concentration in anemic patients with end-stage renal failure receiving chronic hemodialysis. In addition, we aimed to provide information on the efficacy of epoetin zeta under open, noncontrolled conditions.

Methods: Patients received epoetin zeta intravenously, 1-3 times/week for 56 weeks (overall patient group, n=745) or 108 weeks (Bulgarian subgroup, n=164).

The use of truncated area under the curves in the bioequivalence evaluation of long half-life drugs. Studies with donepezil and memantine.

The bioequivalence of long terminal half-life drugs, donepezil (CAS 120014-06-4) 10 mg and memantine (CAS 19982-08-2) 10 mg, was evaluated by comparing the results obtained for the total areas under the concentration time curves (AUC(0-inf)) with those for partial AUCs: AUC(0-216h), AUC(0-72h) and AUC(0-48h). Pharmacokinetic endpoints were determined by standard formulas from the concentration-time courses of the parent compounds donepezil and memantine. The results of the bioequivalence assessment based on the 90% confidence intervals calculated by means of ANOVA for logarithmically transformed values (ANOVA log) led to exactly the same decision irrespective of the type of AUC used.

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of two recombinant human erythropoietin preparations: epoetin zeta and epoetin alfa. 2nd Communication: A monocentric, double-blind, randomized, single dose, three-period crossover trial in healthy volunteers.

The subcutaneous bioavailability of a new recombinant erythropoietin preparation (epoetin zeta, CAS 604802-70-2) and the pharmacokinetic properties of this drug compared to a reference product (epoetin alfa, CAS 113427-24-0) were analyzed after a single intravenous bolus injection or subcutaneous injection of 10,000 IU in a three-period crossover design in 48 healthy volunteers. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained pre-dose, and 0:05, 0:20, 0:40, 1:00, 1:20, 1:40, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 12:00, 24:00, 36:00, 48:00, and 72:00 h post dosing. Samples from 48 volunteers were analyzed by means of a specific immunoassay (ELISA).

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of two recombinant human erythropoietin preparations: epoetin zeta and epoetin alfa. 1st Communication: A monocentric, open, randomized, single dose, two-period crossover trial in healthy volunteers.

The pharmacokinetic properties of a new recombinant erythropoietin preparation (epoetin zeta, CAS 604802-70-2) compared to a reference product (epoetin alfa, CAS 113427-24-0) were analyzed after a single intravenous bolus injection of 10,000 IU in a two-period crossover design in 24 healthy volunteers. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained pre-dose, and 0:05, 0:20, 0:40, 1:00, 1:20, 1:40, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 12:00, 24:00, 36:00, 48:00, and 72:00 hours post dosing. Samples of 24 volunteers were analyzed by means of a specific immunoassay (ELISA).

Comparison of the therapeutic effects of epoetin zeta and epoetin alpha in the correction of renal anaemia.

Objective: To assess the therapeutic equivalence of epoetin zeta and epoetin alpha for correction of haemoglobin (Hb) concentration in patients with anaemia and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 maintained on haemodialysis.

Study Design: In total, 609 patients with CKD and anaemia (Hb < 9 g/dL) were randomly assigned to receive either epoetin zeta or epoetin alpha intravenously, one to three times per week for 24 weeks. Dosing was titrated individually to achieve a stable, target Hb concentration of 11-12 g/dL.

Comparison of the therapeutic effects of epoetin zeta to epoetin alfa in the maintenance phase of renal anaemia treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of epoetin zeta, compared with epoetin alfa, in maintaining target haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations in patients with anaemia and chronic kidney disease (CKD) maintained on haemodialysis.

Methods: Patients received epoetin zeta or epoetin alfa intravenously, 1-3 times/week for 12 weeks, then the alternative treatment for 12 weeks, in this double-blind, crossover, phase III trial. Eligible patients were 18-75 years old with CKD stage 5 maintained on haemodialysis.

Enhanced plasma concentration by selective deuteration of rofecoxib in rats.

The plasma concentrations of BDD-11602 (4-[4- (methanesulfonyl)phenyl]-3-(pentadeuterophenyl)-5H-furan-2-one), a rofecoxib derivative in which the positions 2',3;4',5' and 6' of the phenyl ring were deuterated, and rofecoxib (4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-3-phenyl-5H-furan-2-one, CAS 162011-90-7) were compared in order to explore the effects of selective deuteration on the systemic availability. The COX-2 selectivity in vitro was also compared. Following oral gavage administration of 0.

[A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of tolperisone in spasticity following cerebral stroke].

To study the efficacy and safety of tolperisone--a centrally acting muscle relaxant with membrane stabilizing activity--in the treatment of stroke-related spasticity. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study with parallel groups. Treatment lasted 12 weeks and was started with a titration period of variable length (dose range 300-900 mg tolperisone daily).

Bioequivalence studies with metformin: comparability of reference tablets from different origins.

Background: The choice of an appropriate reference product is still a problem within the European Union. When no direct comparisons between originator products in different countries are available, registration authorities are sometimes only prepared to grant registration for a generic product on the basis of a comparison with the originator product in the respective country. The aim of the investigation was therefore to evaluate the bioequivalence of reference products from different origins in two different bioequivalence trials with the same test drug.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of tolperisone in spasticity following cerebral stroke.

To study the efficacy and safety of tolperisone - a centrally acting muscle relaxant with membrane stabilizing activity - in the treatment of stroke-related spasticity. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study with parallel groups. Treatment lasted 12 weeks and was started with a titration period of variable length (dose range 300-900 mg tolperisone daily).

Analysis of pooled plasma samples as a predictor for proving bioequivalence of drugs with a long elimination half-life. The example of phenprocoumon.

The results of pooled plasma analysis in a bioequivalence trial provide information comparable with that of the mean concentration vs. time curves for each formulation. Although it seems feasible that pool plasma analysis will have similar or even greater advantages in cases of bioequivalence trials with a parallel-group design, no such data has been published in the literature probably due to the limited number of such trials.

Bioequivalence study of levothyroxine tablets compared to reference tablets and an oral solution.

The study was designed to evaluate the bioequivalence of three levothyroxine sodium (CAS 51-48-9) formulations, i.e. a test and a reference tablet and an oral solution.

Effect of the formulation on the bioequivalence of sultamicillin: tablets and suspension.

Sultamicillin (CAS 76497-13-7) is a pro-drug of a combination of ampicillin and sulbactam linked as a double ester. The aim of the present studies, performed in two different groups of volunteers, was to compare the bioavailability of 750 mg sultamicillin tablets (Duobaktam 750 mg tablets, study 1) and sultamicillin 250 mg/5mL suspensions (Duobaktam 250 mg/5mL, study 2). Each study was conducted according to an open, randomized, single-dose, two-period cross-over design in 24 healthy volunteers with a wash-out period from 7 to 14 days.

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors: bioequivalence of sertraline capsules.

The study was designed to evaluate the bioavailability of two sertraline (CAS 79617-96-2) formulations. A bioequivalence study was carried out in 24 healthy male volunteers, who were administered 50 mg capsules of the test formulation (Seralin) and the originator product (reference) as a single dose. The trial was performed according to an open, randomized, cross-over design with a washout period of 14-20 days in one study center.