Average bioequivalence of generic clarithromycin tablets in healthy Thai male volunteers

The objective of this study was to assess bioequivalence of 500-mg clarithromycin tablets in 24 healthy volunteers. In a randomized, single dose, fasting state, two-period, crossover study design with a 1-week washout period, each subject received a 500-mg clarithromycin tablet. Plasma samples were collected over a 24-h period after administration and were analyzed by using a validated method using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. The time to reach the maximal concentration (t(max),h), the peak concentration (C(max),ng/ml) and the area under the curve (AUC(0- infinity),ng h/ml) of the Reference and Test formulations were 2.1+/-0.7 vs 2.1+/-0.7, 2474+/-702 vs 2559+/-744 and 15803+/-6120 vs 17683+/-6650, respectively. Relative bioavailability was 1.12. The 90% confidence interval (90% CI) of C(max) and AUC(0- infinity) were 95.6-110.8% and 3.5-122.0%, respectively. Bioequivalence between the test and reference preparation can be concluded.