Dissolution Profile Evaluation of Eight Brands of Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets Available in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Dissolution is the critical quality control parameter and used to predict an in vivo oral bioavailability, and it is used to support bio-waiver. AIM: To evaluate and compare the dissolution profile of eight brands of metformin HCL 500 mg tablets available in Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia. METHODS: The study was conducted in Jimma town, Ethiopia. Eight (seven brands and one comparator) metformin HCL 500 mg tablets were included. The dissolution study was conducted as per United States Pharmacopeia, and the dissolution profile was compared by one-way ANOVA, model-dependent and model-independent approaches. RESULTS: All of the included tablet brands complied with single-point dissolution study specification. Statistical comparisons of the dissolution profile by one-way ANOVA revealed that all brands had similar dissolution profiles (p=0.89). All of the brands had a similarity factor (f(2)) >50% and the difference factor (f(1)) <15. The entire brands followed the Weibull curve approach (the highest coefficient of determination and lowest Akaike Information Criteria) for the release of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. CONCLUSION: All of the brands complied with single point dissolution study and all of them could be used interchangeably with the innovator drug. All brands followed the Weibull method for the release of the drug substance.