In vitro/in vivo correlations of dissolution data of carbamazepine immediate release tablets with pharmacokinetic data obtained in healthy volunteers.

The aim of the study was to select a dissolution test method for carbamazepine (CBZ) immediate release tablets, giving the best in vitro/in vivo correlations (IVIVC) and to determine the potential of this method as an estimate for bioequivalence testing. Four 200 mg CBZ products which are sold on the Dutch market, covering the innovator and three generic products, were selected. They had been tested in a randomised, fourway cross-over bioavailability study in healthy volunteers. Their dissolution rate behaviour in vitro was investigated in two dissolution media: (1) 1% sodium lauryl sulphate in water (SLS), in accordance with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP); (2) 0.1 mol/l Hydrochloric acid in water (HC). In the bioavailability study these products had shown no large differences in the extent of absorption (AUC(0-infinity);) but large differences in absorption rate. The products now also showed large differences in dissolution rate in vitro in both dissolution media, the rank order being the same as for the absorption rate. It was concluded that the absorption rate in vivo depends on the dissolution rate in vivo. 'Level C' IVIVC according to the USP were optimised by plotting percentages dissolved on selected time points (D values) or their reciprocals (1/D values), against several pharmacokinetic parameters primarily related to the absorption phase and against AUC(0-infinity). In this way for each IVIVC the optimum D or 1/D value, was calculated. For both media no meaningful IVIVC were obtained with AUC(0-infinity), but favourable IVIVC were obtained with the parameters primarily related to the absorption phase. In the bioavailability study indicated above it was found that, among the pharmacokinetic characteristics primarily related to the absorption phase, C(max) is the most promising in expressing rate of absorption in bioequivalence testing in single dose studies with CBZ immediate release tablets. Consequently, C(max) was selected for expressing rate of absorption. The most favourable IVIVC were obtained with D(20) in SLS versus C(max). From this IVIVC and the requirements for bioequivalence (AUC(0-infinity): 0.8-1.25 and C(max) : 0.75-1.35; 90% confidence interval), a specification for dissolution testing in SLS was calculated as follows: 'after 20 minutes, 34-99% dissolved'. Owing to the fact that the rate of absorption in vivo depends on i.a. the dissolution rate in vivo, it can be concluded that with this specification bioequivalence with respect to both rate of absorption and extent of absorption is ensured. As this specification is comparable with the USP specification: 'not less than 75% dissolved after 1 h', it is concluded that the USP specification is suitable to ensure bioequivalence of CBZ immediate release tablets.

Bioavailability of carbamazepine from four different products and the occurrence of side effects.

The relative bioavailability of four different carbamazepine products, showing large differences in in vitro dissolution profiles, was studied in healthy volunteers to correlate the occurrence of side effects with a measure of the rate of absorption in vivo for bioequivalence testing. Two of the three generic products investigated showed bioequivalence with respect to the extent of absorption with Tegretol. In vivo, the differences found in absorption rate were reflected in the occurrence of side effects, especially dizziness. As a measure for the rate of absorption, the partial AUC did not seem to be a good characteristic to test bioequivalence, as the variability is very high and dependent on the AUC taken. The Cmax/AUCpart seems more promising, especially the partial AUC directly after completion of the absorption process. The variability is low in the case of carbamazepine after a single dose. However, as long as no consensus on the use of other metrics and the objective (clinical or quality control aspects) of bioequivalence testing is reached, and no other pharmacokinetic characteristic is validated, Cmax should be the characteristic of choice for the rate of absorption in single-dose studies with carbamazepine products.

Analysis of creams. IV. Application of high performance liquid chromatography. Part I.

The possibilities of applying reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography to the analysis of o/w emulsion type creams without preceding sample clean-up were investigated. The chromatographic behaviour of cream base components and active compounds in reversed phase systems consisting of methanol-water mixtures as the mobile phase and a chemically bonded octadecyl stationary phase, was studied. A number of active compounds and the preservative (sorbic acid) could be determined--often in one chromatographic run--without complications, by simply dissolving the sample in a suitable solvent mixture and injecting an aliquot of the solution into the chromatograph. Separation was achieved by the proper choice of methanol content, pH and ionic strength of the eluent. The compounds were detected by UV absorption. Some of the lipophilic cream base components could easily be determined in the same manner, with methanol as the eluent and with refraction index detection. The developed procedure was applied to the analysis of a number of creams. Some of the results are presented as examples, demonstrating the suitability of the method for quality control purposes.

Analysis of creams. III. Application of gas--liquid chromatography. Part I.

The possibilities of the gas--liquid chromatographic analysis with flame ionization detection of creams of the o/w emulsion type were investigated. Interferences by cream base components in the determination of the active compounds were studied. It appeared to be possible to determine active compounds with a retention index lower than 1900 on ov-17 (e.g. methyl salicylate, menthol, thymol camphor) without clean-up of the cream samples; for the determination of compounds with retention indices between 1900 and 3700, a simple clean-up step suffices. The possible analysis of some of the cream base components together with the active compounds of the creams was investigated as well. Cetomacrogol emulsifying wax, lanette was sx and cetiol v could be determined easily, whether or not a sample clean-up step was incorporated.