Evaluating the bioequivalence of levetiracetam brand and generic oral tablets available in the Saudi market in vivo

Background: Epilepsy is a common global neurological disorder. About 30% of epileptic patients are managed with anti-epileptic Drugs (AEDs). Since 2000, Levetiracetam (LEV) has been marketed around the world as an AED under the brand name Keppra, and recently more generics are found in the Saudi mar...

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Main Authors: Danah ALRabeeah, Aliyah Almomen, Nourah Alzoman, Maria Arafah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-10-01
Series:Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319016423002530
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author Danah ALRabeeah
Aliyah Almomen
Nourah Alzoman
Maria Arafah
author_facet Danah ALRabeeah
Aliyah Almomen
Nourah Alzoman
Maria Arafah
author_sort Danah ALRabeeah
collection DOAJ
description Background: Epilepsy is a common global neurological disorder. About 30% of epileptic patients are managed with anti-epileptic Drugs (AEDs). Since 2000, Levetiracetam (LEV) has been marketed around the world as an AED under the brand name Keppra, and recently more generics are found in the Saudi market as cheaper alternatives. The objective of this study is to evaluate the bioequivalence of LEV brand and generics available in the Saudi market in mice. Methods: Pharmacokinetics (PK), liver function test, and behavioral studies were conducted for LEV brand and generic in different groups of Blab/c mice. Results: PK results show a significance difference in PK parameters mostly evidenced with generic 3, then generic 2. The only significant different between Keppra and generic 1 was in T1/2. In addition, Keppra did not significantly increase liver enzymes in comparison to other generics. On the other hand, other generics showed less favorable results in increasing liver enzymes. Keppra reduced the number and intensity of epileptic attacks, had no mortality rate due to epilepsy, and was associated with less sever seizures attacks. Conclusion: Keppra, the brand form of LEV, has better safety and efficacy profiles in mice compared to 3 generics found in the Saudi market. Therefore, we recommend evaluating the same parameters tested in this study in patients utilizing similar generics and brand to establish the existence of bioequivalence between LEV brand and generics.
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spelling doaj.art-b35a06f5224b453688f2c00612e8dea82023-09-21T04:36:18ZengElsevierSaudi Pharmaceutical Journal1319-01642023-10-013110101758Evaluating the bioequivalence of levetiracetam brand and generic oral tablets available in the Saudi market in vivoDanah ALRabeeah0Aliyah Almomen1Nourah Alzoman2Maria Arafah3Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia; Corresponding author.Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi ArabiaBackground: Epilepsy is a common global neurological disorder. About 30% of epileptic patients are managed with anti-epileptic Drugs (AEDs). Since 2000, Levetiracetam (LEV) has been marketed around the world as an AED under the brand name Keppra, and recently more generics are found in the Saudi market as cheaper alternatives. The objective of this study is to evaluate the bioequivalence of LEV brand and generics available in the Saudi market in mice. Methods: Pharmacokinetics (PK), liver function test, and behavioral studies were conducted for LEV brand and generic in different groups of Blab/c mice. Results: PK results show a significance difference in PK parameters mostly evidenced with generic 3, then generic 2. The only significant different between Keppra and generic 1 was in T1/2. In addition, Keppra did not significantly increase liver enzymes in comparison to other generics. On the other hand, other generics showed less favorable results in increasing liver enzymes. Keppra reduced the number and intensity of epileptic attacks, had no mortality rate due to epilepsy, and was associated with less sever seizures attacks. Conclusion: Keppra, the brand form of LEV, has better safety and efficacy profiles in mice compared to 3 generics found in the Saudi market. Therefore, we recommend evaluating the same parameters tested in this study in patients utilizing similar generics and brand to establish the existence of bioequivalence between LEV brand and generics.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319016423002530Anti-Epileptic drugsLevetiracetamPharmacokineticsLiver enzymesHigh-performance liquid chromatographySaudi Arabia
spellingShingle Danah ALRabeeah
Aliyah Almomen
Nourah Alzoman
Maria Arafah
Evaluating the bioequivalence of levetiracetam brand and generic oral tablets available in the Saudi market in vivo
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal
Anti-Epileptic drugs
Levetiracetam
Pharmacokinetics
Liver enzymes
High-performance liquid chromatography
Saudi Arabia
title Evaluating the bioequivalence of levetiracetam brand and generic oral tablets available in the Saudi market in vivo
title_full Evaluating the bioequivalence of levetiracetam brand and generic oral tablets available in the Saudi market in vivo
title_fullStr Evaluating the bioequivalence of levetiracetam brand and generic oral tablets available in the Saudi market in vivo
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the bioequivalence of levetiracetam brand and generic oral tablets available in the Saudi market in vivo
title_short Evaluating the bioequivalence of levetiracetam brand and generic oral tablets available in the Saudi market in vivo
title_sort evaluating the bioequivalence of levetiracetam brand and generic oral tablets available in the saudi market in vivo
topic Anti-Epileptic drugs
Levetiracetam
Pharmacokinetics
Liver enzymes
High-performance liquid chromatography
Saudi Arabia
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319016423002530
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