Biowaiver Monographs for Immediate Release Solid Oral Dosage Forms: Metformin Hydrochloride

Data are examined regarding possible waiver of in vivo bioequivalence testing (i.e. biowaiver) for approval of metformin hydrochloride (metformin) immediate-release solid oral dosage forms. Data include metformin's Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) properties, including potential excipient interactions. Metformin is a prototypical transporter-mediated drug and is highly soluble, but only 50% of an orally administered dose is absorbed from the gut. Therefore, metformin is a BCS Class III substance. A BCS-based approval approach for major changes to marketed products and new generics is admissible if test and reference dosage forms have the identical active pharmaceutical ingredient and if in vitro dissolution from both are very rapid (i.e. at least 85% within 15 min at pH 1.2, 4.5, and 6.8). Recent International Council for Harmonisation BCS guidance indicates all excipients for Class III biowaivers are recommended to be qualitatively the same and quantitatively similar (except for preservatives, flavor agents, colorant, or capsule shell or film coating excipients). However, despite metformin being a prototypical transporter-mediated drug, there is no evidence that commonly used excipients impact metformin absorption, such that this restriction on excipients for BCS III drugs merits regulatory relief. Commonly used excipients in usual amounts are not likely to impact metformin absorption.