ABSTRACT
Bioavailability of carbamazepine (CBZ) tablet in Thai subject has never been reported before. Owing to the big difference of the drug cost and the National Drug Policy to promote the use of generic drugs, it is therefore essential to compare the bioavailability of tablets available in Thai market. Two brands of CBZ tablets that are commonly used in various hospitals were included in the present study in 17 healthy Thai volunteers. The drugs were given in randomized crossover fashion. Vanes blood samples were grown at 0,1,2,3,4,6,8,10,24,4,8,72,96,120, and 144 hours prior to and after ingestion of 2x 200 mg CBZ tablets A washout period of 4 weeks was allowed because of its autoinduction of hepatic enzymes. Plasma samples were separated and the amount of CBZ contained in each samples were analyzed by HPLC. The present results indicate a significantly slower rate of absorption of drug A nut the extent of absorption appears to be equal to that of drug B.