Controlled efficacy study of the bioequivalence of Strongid C and generic pyrantel tartrate in horses.

This research aimed to study the bioequivalence of Strongid C and generic pyrantel tartrate, two drugs used for the treatment of endoparasitic infections in horses. The study found no significant difference in terms of parasite reduction effectiveness between the two drugs.

Methodology

• The researchers carried out a controlled study involving 30 horses, which naturally had endoparasitic infections.
• They divided the horses into ten groups randomly based upon the count of nematode and ascarid eggs, and fecal larvae culture results. Each group comprised three horses.
• Three treatment protocols were defined. Horses in the first group were given only oats (control group). The second group received generic pyrantel tartrate pellets, while the last group was administered Strongid C pellets. Both treatment groups received pellets at the dose of 2.65 mg pyrantel tartrate per kg mixed with oats – indicating a consistent dosage for fair comparison between the two drugs.
• The treatment was executed daily for a 30-day period.

Results

• At the end of the study, they performed necropsies on the horses. They recovered, identified, and enumerated the endoparasites in all horses.
• They found no significant difference in the mean numbers of parasites between treatment groups receiving generic pyrantel tartrate and Strongid C.
• However, significant differences were observed in the number of gastrointestinal parasites compared to untreated controls when treated with either of the medications. This demonstrated the effectiveness of both drugs in reducing parasites.
• The study noted specific reductions in numbers of certain parasites such as large strongyles (Strongylus vulgaris, S. edentatus, and Triodontophorus spp.), small strongyles (Cyathostomum spp., Cylicocyclus spp., and Cylicostephanus spp.), and fourth-stage Parascaris equorum in groups treated with both the drugs.
• Numbers of adult P. equorum were significantly reduced in horses treated with Strongid C compared to untreated controls, but not in horses treated with the generic pyrantel tartrate.
• The researchers established bioequivalence between the two based on the 95% confidence interval of the difference in the mean number of parasites recovered from horses treated with generic pyrantel tartrate and Strongid C.

Conclusion

• The study concluded that both the generic pyrantel tartrate and the brand Strongid C were biologically equivalent in terms of their effectiveness in reducing parasites in horses. This implies that either drug could be used interchangeably for treatment.