Semin Thromb Hemost 2008; 34: 108-118
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1086091
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Potency Adjusted Generic Versions of Argatroban Can Be Differentiated from Branded Argatroban in Thrombin Generation and Platelet Activation Assays

Cafer Adiguzel1 , 2 , Omer Iqbal1 , Josephine Cunanan1 , Walter Jeske1 , Debra Hoppensteadt1 , Jeanine M. Walenga1 , Jawed Fareed1
  • 1Department of Pathology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois
  • 2Department of Hematology, Marmara University Medical School, Istanbul 34000, Turkey
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
28 October 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

Argatroban is an antithrombin (AT) drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug administration for the anticoagulation of patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and for patients at risk of HIT undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Three generic versions of argatroban (gartban, slovastan, and argaron) are now available. In this study, the anticoagulant bioequivalence of the generic and branded argatrobans were compared using whole blood, platelet-rich plasma, platelet-poor plasma, and antithrombin-deficient plasma using clot-based assays. In addition, biochemical systems related to hemostatic mechanisms that involve thrombin were employed, including thrombin generation, factor Xa generation, platelet activation, fibrinokinetics, and activation of thrombin activatable fibrinolytic inhibitor. Overall, the order of potency was gartban > slovastan > argatroban = argaron; however, the degree of potency differed by assay. Moreover, the inhibition of thrombin by each drug resulted in different mechanisms, as demonstrated in assays dependent on thrombin for enzymatic activation. These data demonstrate that equivalency of generic argatrobans cannot be determined based on their activity in a single clot-based assay. Clinical trials are warranted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the generic argatroban drugs before use in patients.

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Professor Jawed FareedPh.D. 

Department of Pathology, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. First Avenue

Maywood, IL 60153

Email: jfareed@lumc.edu