Scientific Publications by FDA Staff

J Pharm Sci 2016 Apr;105(4):1355-7

Reply to "On the effect of common excipients on the oral absorption of class 3 drugs".

Vaithianathan S, Haidar SH, Zhang X, Jiang W, Avon C, Dowling TC, Shao C, Kane M, Hoag SW, Flasar MH, Ting TY, Polli JE

We previously concluded that 12 common excipients need not be qualitatively the same and quantitatively very similar to reference for Biopharmaceutics Classification System-based biowaivers. This conclusion for regulatory relief is based upon a series of bioequivalence studies in humans involving cimetidine and acyclovir. Limitations were also discussed. We understand the major concern of Garcia-Arieta et al. is that "results obtained by Vaithianathan et al. should not be extrapolated to other drugs." We understand that individuals conducting their own risk/benefit analysis may reach that conclusion, and we reply to the concerns of Garcia-Arieta et al. We continue to conclude that the 12 common excipients need not be qualitatively the same nor quantitatively very similar to reference, but rather, simply be not more than the quantities studied in our manuscript for cimetidine and acyclovir, and potentially other class 3 drugs with similar properties.