Abstract: AIM: To compare the bioequivalence of glimepiride tables and capsules with a single dose. METHODS: Twenty Chinese healthy male volunteers were enrolled in a randomized crossover study with a single oral dose 3 mg of two formulations respectively.The blood drug concentration in serum was measured by HPLC, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by 3p97 software and compared by two one-side ttest. RESULTS: The parameters of the tables and the capsules were (1.23 ± 0.19) and (1.31 ± 0.22) mg·h·L^-1at AUC_{(0 -t)}, (1.32 ±0.20) and (1.45 ± 0.24) mg·h·L^-1 at AUC_(0-inf), (0.30 ±0.05) and (0.30 ±0.06) mg·L^-1 at C_max, (6.6 ±2.5) and (9.3 ±7.9) h the peak time (T_peak), respectively.There were no significant differences between the two formulations. F was 96.4 ±21.1 calculated by AUC_{(0 -t)} and 96.4 ± 21.1 by AUC_(0-inf). CONCLUSION: Glimepiride tables and capsules are of bioequivalence.

Key words: glimepiride, HPLC, bioequivalence