Bioequivalence Study Comparing Two Alprazolam 1 mg Tablets Under Fed Conditions

The study is a phase I, open, randomised, crossover, single dose pharmacokinetic study performed in a single centre. The study consists of 2 treatment periods, during which the study subjects will receive the test product and the reference product in a randomised order. During both treatment periods, the study subjects will receive 1 mg of alprazolam as a single oral dose administered after a high-calorie, high-fat meal. Following an overnight fast of at least 10 hours, the study subjects will eat the standardised meal 30 minutes prior to administration of the study treatments. Blood samples will be drawn during both treatment periods.

The duration of the study per subject will be approximately 5 weeks and at most 9 weeks including a screening visit, 2 treatment periods with a wash-out between the study treatment administrations and a post-treatment period.

Inclusion criteria

• Written informed consent (IC) obtained
• Good general health ascertained by detailed medical history, and laboratory and physical examinations
• Finnish speaking males and females, 18-55 (inclusive) years of age
• Normal body weight defined as body mass index > 19 and < 30 kg/m2 (BMI = weight/height2)
• Weight at least 50 kg
• Regular intestinal transit (no recent history of recurrent constipation, diarrhoea, or other intestinal problems)

Exclusion criteria

• Evidence of a clinically significant cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, haematological, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, metabolic-endocrine, neurological or psychiatric disease
• Any condition requiring regular concomitant treatment (including vitamins and herbal products) or likely to need any concomitant treatment during the study
• Intake of any medication that could affect the outcome of the study. As an exception, contraceptives intra uterine device (IUD) containing levonorgestrel and hormonal implant are allowed.
• Any clinically significant abnormal laboratory value or physical finding (including electrocardiogram [ECG] and vital signs) that may interfere with the interpretation of test results or cause a health risk for the subject if he/she participates in the study, as judged by the investigator.
• Known hypersensitivity to the active substance(s) or to any of the excipients of the drug
• History of vasovagal collapses
• History of anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions
• History of seizures including febrile seizures
• Pregnant or lactating females
• Females of childbearing potential if they are not using proper contraception (IUD, hormonal implant or surgical sterilization, spermicidal foam in conjunction with condom on male partner) (Note: women of childbearing potential with no current sexual relationship can be included without contraception according to the judgement of the investigator).
• Recent or current (suspected) drug abuse or positive result in the drugs abuse test
• Recent or current alcohol abuse (regular drinking more than 21 units per week for males and more than 16 units per week for females [1 unit = 4 cl spirits or equivalent])
• Current use of nicotine containing products more than 5 cigarettes (or equivalent)/day and/or inability to refrain from the use of nicotine containing products during the study (from the screening visit to the end-of-study visit).
• Use of caffeine containing beverages more than 600 mg of caffeine/day and/or inability to refrain from the use of caffeine containing beverages during the treatment periods until 24 h after study treatment administration.
• Blood donation or loss of significant amount of blood within 90 days prior to the first study treatment administration
• Administration of another investigational treatment within 90 days prior to the first study treatment administration
• Unsuitable veins for repeated venipuncture or for cannulation
• Predictable poor compliance or inability to communicate well with the study centre personnel
• Inability to participate in all treatment periods.