In vitro Comparative Quality Assessment of Different Brands of Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets Marketed in Northeast Ethiopia

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate the quality and physicochemical bioequivalence of commercially available brands of hydrochlorothiazide 25mg tablets in community pharmacies in Dessie town, Northeast Ethiopia.Methods Experimental-based cross-sectional study design was applied using disintegration, identification, friability, uniformity, hardness, and assay test methods as described in the USP. Difference (f1) and similarity (f2) factor values were calculated to assess in vitro bioequivalence of generic products with the comparator.Result The study revealed that all investigated brands of hydrochlorothiazide tablets contain a genuine active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in their formulations. The friability test result was concordant with the USP ( 50 & f1 values were ˂15 for all sampled brands of hydrochlorothiazide tablet formulations.Conclusion The majority of sampled brands of hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg tablets met the quality requirements as per USP official test specifications limit. From similarity factor (f2) and difference factor (f1) values, all studied brands were equivalent to the comparator and can interchangeably use in the clinical area.