Which one of the following dosage forms is least likely to present bioequivalence problems?

Intravenous (IV) solutions are considered to be least likely to present bioequivalence problems due to their unique characteristics related to administration and absorption. Bioequivalence refers to the comparison of the bioavailability of two formulations of the same drug, typically determining if they have similar efficacy and safety profiles.

When a drug is administered via the IV route, it is delivered directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and first-pass metabolism that oral dosage forms experience. This leads to immediate and complete absorption, resulting in a predictable pharmacokinetic profile. Since there are minimal variables affecting the absorption phase, such as formulation differences or physiological factors like digestion, bioequivalence issues are significantly reduced.

In contrast, oral tablets and sustained-release capsules can have varied absorption rates due to factors like formulation excipients, food interactions, and individual patient gastrointestinal variations. Topical creams also pose bioequivalence challenges, as their absorption can be influenced by skin integrity, local circulation, and the formulation itself. Therefore, IV solutions maintain a high degree of consistency and reliability in bioavailability comparisons, making them the dosage form least likely to encounter bioequivalence problems.