Bioavailability of gliclazide from some formulation tablets

Diabezid, from Jelfa, and diabrezide, from Molteni, tablets are bioequivalent as well as producing pharmacokinetic parameters typical for classic gliclazide oral formulations (C-max = 3.4-4.1 mg l(-1), t(max) = 3.5-4.6 h, t(0.5) = 5.2-6.5 h). In contrast, diaprel tablets, from Servier, seem to be a sustained release formulation and is not bioequivalent to the above tablets. It produces a long tablet disintegration time (58 min) and the dissolution of gliclazide in 0.1 mol l(-1) HCl (9.04 mg l(-1) (11.3%) at 4 h and 37 degrees C) as well as in serum C-max (0.7 mg l(-1)) are poor. In contrast with the Jelfa tablets, the Servier tablets do not demonstrate any hypoglycemic effect in healthy volunteers. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.