DETERMINATION OF THE PHARMACOKINETIC PARAMETERS OF MELOXICAM IN HEALTHY PAKISTANI VOLUNTEERS USING NON-COMPARTMENTAL ANALYSIS

The aim of the present work was to determine pharmacokinetic parameters of meloxicam in local population of Pakistan first time using non-compartmental analysis and to detect any difference which might not be apparent by compartmental analysis which we reported earlier in our population. The study was conducted in 12 healthy male volunteers who receive 30 mg (4x7.5 mg tablets), reference and test tablets according to a randomized 2-way cross-over design. Blood samples were collected at appropriate time intervals up to 96 hrs post dose and drug concentrations was monitored by a validated HPLC method. Statistical tests of the pharmacokinetic parameters was performed by ANOVA that include sequence, subjects within sequence, period and treatment effects (α =0.05). Various pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using non-compartmental method of analysis and a non significant difference were detected by ANOVA analysis but interethnic differences were found in the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam. Thus by using non-compartmental approach, further insight regarding the in vivo performance of meloxicam in local population were highlighted that give an opportunity to detect any difference in pharmacokinetics that might not be apparent by the compartmental analysis of the data. It seems that further studies are mandatory to confirm our findings.