Publication details
Are original and generic extended-release metformin tablets truly interchangeable?
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Metformin is the first-choice drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, with extended-release (XR) tablets being preferred as they reduce adverse effects and improve patient compliance. Since metformin is absorbed primarily in the duodenum and jejunum, gastroretention (prolonged stomach retention) is essential for the proper functioning of extended-release tablets. This can be achieved through various mechanisms; original formulations use a hydrogel-based system that enlarges the tablet so it cannot pass through the pylorus while also controlling drug release. With the increasing number of generic products on the market, the question arises whether these products use the same gastroretentive principles as the original. Despite bioequivalence testing, generics may not have the same properties. Therefore, the study's main aim is to compare the gastroretentive properties of selected products and their dissolution profiles at different pH values, which may occur in comorbidities or treatment with drugs that increase gastric pH. |