Release date: July 1, 2007
Available for credit through: July 1, 2009
Program Description
Bioequivalence is a comparison of two or more products with respect to their bioavailabilities. Bioequivalence of trade and generic products or different dosage forms of the same product needs to be determined before the products can be legally interchanged. Numerous factors can affect bioavailability (and bioequivalence) determinations. Patient factors include variations in absorption power and the pH (or acidity) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, gastric emptying rate, intestinal motility, GI tract perfusion, first-pass drug metabolism, age, sex, weight, disease status and interactions with other substances including drugs and rather common food. Thus, there is a great potential for wide variability among the pharmacokinetic profiles among patient populations and bioequivalence determinations. As pharmacists and nurses, we are in an optimal position to prevent or intervene when a patient is experiencing drug-drug and drug-food interaction resulting in bioavailability alterations with outcomes including sub-therapeutic responses or adverse events. While product interchange between trade and generic medications or between dosage forms of the same product is typically not a problem, this activity is going to highlight some examples of when it is a concern.
Target Audience
This activity is intended for nurses and pharmacists.
Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity participants will be able to:
Distinguish the differences between bioequivalence and bioavailability
Understand how factors related to the dosage form and patient variables affect drug stability, dissolution capacity, and absorption properties
Recognize problems that arise with bioequivalence and generic substitution
Learn which critical patient and disease factors require special consideration for product selection
The views and opinions expressed in this activity are those of the faculty. They do not reflect the views of Acorda Therapeutics, any other manufacturer of pharmaceuticals or ArcMesa Educators, LLC.
The recommendations made in this program are based upon a combination of randomized clinical trials, current guidelines, and the clinical practice experience of the participating panelists. Any medications, diagnostic procedures or treatments discussed by the panelists should not be utilized without evaluation of their patient's conditions. Participants are urged to consult the full prescribing information on any drug mentioned in this activity for recommended dosage, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse effects before prescribing any medication.
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