Bioequivalence Assessment of Two Dapoxetine Hydrochloride Formulations in Healthy Chinese Males Under Fasted and Fed Conditions

Abstract This study evaluated the bioequivalence of the newly developed dapoxetine hydrochloride tablet relative to the marketed reference product by comparing their pharmacokinetic profiles under fasted and fed conditions. A total of 60 healthy Chinese male subjects participated in a single‐center, 2‐period, 2‐sequence, randomized, open‐label, self‐crossover study with a washout period of 14 days, 30 in the fasted group and 30 in the fed group. Following a single 30‐mg oral dose of the test or reference dapoxetine formulation, blood samples were collected before dosing to 72 hours after dosing. Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry was performed to measure plasma concentration of dapoxetine and determine pharmacokinetic parameters through noncompartmental analysis. The vital signs and adverse events were also monitored during the study. The 90% confidence intervals of the geometric mean ratios for maximum plasma concentration, area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from time 0 to the last concentration time, and area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinity of the 2 dapoxetine formulations completely fell within the regulatory criteria for bioequivalence of 80%‐125%. In addition, both dapoxetine hydrochloride formulations were generally well tolerated. The generic dapoxetine hydrochloride tablet was bioequivalent to the marketed reference product in healthy Chinese men with no discernible safety differences.