Chiral separation and thermodynamic investigation of WCK 3023: A novel oxazolidinone antibacterial agent,application to pre‐clinical pharmacokinetic study

A chiral liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the quantification of R‐enantiomer impurity (RE) in WCK 3023 (S‐enantiomer), a new drug substance. The separation was achieved on Chiralpak IA (amylose‐based immobilized chiral stationary phase), using a mobile phase consisting of n‐hexane–ethanol–trifluoroacetic acid (70:30:0.2, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The method was extensively validated for the quantification of RE in WCK 3023 and proved to be robust. For RE the detector response was linear over the concentration range of 0.11–5 μg/mL. The limit of quantitation and limit of detection for RE were 0.11 and 0.04 μg/mL respectively. Average recovery of the RE was in the range of 98.11–99.55%. The developed method was specific, sensitive, precise and accurate for quantitative determination of RE in WCK 3023. The impact of thermodynamic parameters on the chiral separation was evaluated. The method was employed for controlling the enantiomeric impurity in the lots of WCK 3023 used for pre‐clinical studies. The method was successfully applied to evaluate the possible conversion of WCK 3023 to RE in rat serum samples during pre‐clinical pharmacokinetic studies.     

Development and validation of a reverse-phase liquid chromatographic method for assay and related substances of abacavir sulfate

A simple isocratic liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of abacavir from its related substances and assay for the first time. This method involves the usage of C18 (Intertsil octadecyl silane-3V, 150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) column. The method was validated over the range of 0.002-0.1 mg/mL for chloro impurity, 0.005-0.1 mg/mL for amino impurity and pyrimidine impurity, and 0.005-0.2 mg/mL for abacavir. The mobile phase consists of a mixture of 10 mM ammonium acetate buffer and ACN in the ratio of 90:10. The flow rate was set at 1.0 mL/min with UV detection monitored at 214 nm. The drug substance was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis, and thermal degradation. The developed method was validated for linearity, range, precision, accuracy, and specificity. This method can be conveniently used in a quality control laboratory for routine analysis of both related substances and assay.     

Direct separation of the enantiomers of ramosetron on a chlorinated cellulose‐based chiral stationary phase in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography mode

Ramosetron is an enantiopure active pharmaceutical ingredient marketed in Japan since 1996 and later in a few Southeast Asian countries predominantly as an antiemetic for patients receiving chemotherapy. In this study, a simple and rapid high‐performance liquid chromoatography method for the separation of ramosetron and its related enantiomeric impurity by using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography mode is presented. Chiral resolution was performed on an analytical column (100 mm × 4.6 mm id) packed with 3 μm particles of cellulose‐based Chiralpak IC‐3 chiral stationary phase. Using a mobile phase containing acetonitrile–water–diethylamine (100:10:0.1, v/v/v) and setting the column temperature at 35°C, the resolution value was 7.35. At a flow rate of 1 mL/min, the enantioseparation was completed within 5 min. The proposed method was partially validated and it has proven to be sensitive with limit of detection and limit of quantitation of the (S)‐enantiomer impurity of 44.5 and 133.6 ng/mL.     

A systematic study of determination and validation of finasteride impurities using liquid chromatography

Pharmaceutical use of finasteride (Dilaprost®) has been well documents in the peer-reviewed literature; however, the presence of trace amounts of related substances (impurities) in finasteride may influence the tharapeutic efficacy and safely. Due to limited information available, the objective of this study was to develop a quantification method for the three impurities of finasteride using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an ultraviolet (UV) detector. The compounds (impurities) of finasteride that are registered with the European Pharmacopeia, which we sought to validate are: -N-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-oxo-4-aza-5α-androstane-17β-carboxamide (impurity A), methyl 3-oxo-4-aza-5α-androst-1-ene-17β-carboxylate (impurity B), and -N-(1,1-dimehylethyl)-3-oxo-4-azaandrosta-1,5-diene-17β-carboxamide (impurity C). Analyses were performed using a Nova Pac C₁₈ column for HPLC with isocratic elution. Detection was carried out at 210 nm, the concentration of the three impurities was in the range was 1.5–4.5 μg mL⁻¹ at ambient temperature with a mobile phase of water + acetonitrile + tetrahydrofuran (80:10:10, v/v/v) and the flow rate was 2.0 mL min⁻¹. The recoveries were: 101.35 ± 0.62% (impurity A), 101.60 ± 2.66% (impurity B) and 101.97 ± 2.05% (impurity C). Validation of the method yielded fairly good results as it relates to the precision and accuracy. It is, therefore, concluded that the method would be suitable for not only the separation and determination of processed impurities to monitor the reactions, but also for the quality assurance of finasteride and its related substances.     

Chromatographic methods development,validation and degradation characterization of the antithyroid drug Carbimazole

The current paper reports the development and validation of stability‐indicating HPLC and HPTLC methods for the separation and quantification of main impurity and degradation product of Carbimazole. The structures of the degradation products formed under stress degradation conditions, including hydrolytic and oxidative, photolytic and thermal conditions, were characterized and confirmed by MS and IR analyses. Based on the characterization data, the obtained degradation product from hydrolytic conditions was found to be methimazole—impurity A of Carbimazole as reported by the British Pharmacopeia and the European Pharmacopeia. A stability‐indicating HPLC method was carried out using a Zorbax Eclipse Plus CN column (150 × 4.6 mm i.d, 5 μm particle size) and a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile–0.05 m KH₂PO₄ (20: 80, v/v) in isocratic elution, at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The method was proved to be sensitive for the determination down to 0.5% of Carbimazole impurity A. Additionally, a stability‐indicating chromatographic HPTLC method was achieved using cyclohexane–ethanol (9:1, v/v) as a developing system on HPTLC plates F₂₅₄ with UV detection at 225 nm. The proposed HPLC and HPTLC methods were successfully applied to Carbimazole^® tablets with mean percentage recoveries of 100.12 and 99.73%, respectively.     

Pressurized capillary electrochromatographic assay of trimethoprim impurities using 1 microm particle-based columns

One micrometre silica particles, derivatized with C18, were electrokinetically packed into a 75-microm-i.d. capillary. The resulting column was evaluated for the separation of trimethoprim (TMP) and its impurities using pressurized capillary electrochromatography (pCEC), starting from a capillary liquid chromatographic (CLC) separation. These samples require gradient elution when separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), but with the new columns isocratic elution suffices for their separation by CLC or pCEC. Only 70,000 theoretical plates/m for impurity C were achieved using CLC mode at relative low pressure (78 bar) although very small particles were utilized. When a voltage above 2 kV (50 V/cm) was applied, unknown peaks appeared, which was assumed due to an electrophoretic effect with the unknown peaks resolving as a result of the applied voltage. In order to minimize these unfavorable contributions, only a low voltage was applied, still leading to higher separation performances and shorter separation times than in CLC. The optimal analyzing conditions in pCEC included a pressure of 78 bar, an applied voltage of 1 kV, and a mobile phase consisting of 80 mM sodium perchlorate (pH 3.1)/methanol (60/40, v/v). These conditions were used to separate and quantify four major impurities in TMP within 22 min. The obtained calibration curves were linear (r>0.9980) in concentration ranges between 0.005 and 0.1 mg/mL for impurities A and C; 0.02 and 0.10 mg/mL for impurity F; and 0.01 and 0.10 mg/mL for impurity H. The detection limits (S/N=3) for impurities A, C, F, and H were 0.52, 0.84, 3.18, and 2.41 microg/mL, respectively. The calibration curves were successfully applied to analyze spiked bulk samples, with mean recoveries ranging from 92% to 110%. The developed method can therefore be considered simple, rapid, and repeatable.     

高效液相色谱法同时测定化妆品中的7种磺胺及甲硝唑和氯霉素

建立了化妆品中7种磺胺(磺胺醋酰、磺胺吡啶、磺胺甲基嘧啶、磺胺二甲嘧啶、磺胺甲氧嘧啶、磺胺间甲氧嘧啶、磺胺甲基异唑)和甲硝唑及氯霉素的高效液相色谱测定方法。样品经0.1%甲酸水溶液-乙腈(体积比为8∶2)混合液超声提取后进行液相色谱分析。方法的定量检测限为3～80 μg/g,7种磺胺在20～200 μg/mL时,甲硝唑及氯霉素在40～400 μg/mL时方法的线性关系良好(r≥0.9993)。加标回收率为83.8%～105.3%(7种磺胺的添加水平为50 μg/mL和150 μg/mL,甲硝唑及氯霉素的添加水平为100 μg/mL和300 μg/mL),其相对标准偏差均小于5%。     

离子色谱法同时测定离子液体中六氟磷酸根及痕量杂阴离子

建立了一种同时测定离子液体中六氟磷酸根(PF~6)和痕量杂阴离子氟、氯、溴(F~,Cl~,Br~)的离子色谱方法(IC)。样品经溶解、稀释、过滤后用Dionex IonPac AS22分离柱(250 mm×4 mm)分离,淋洗液为碳酸盐-乙腈体系(体积比为70:30),流速1.0 mL/min,采用Dionex DS6电导检测器检测,外标法定量。F~,Cl~,Br~和PF~6的线性范围分别为0.5～50 μg/L、10～200 μg/L、10～200 μg/L和0.9～45 mg/L,线性相关系数分别为0.9999,0.9998,0.9999和0.9998,加标回收率为94.5%～100.5%,相对标准偏差为0.63%～1.03%,检出限(以信噪比为3计)分别为0.5 μg/L、2.0 μg/L、5.0 μg/L和0.9 mg/L。该方法用于离子液体中六氟磷酸根和痕量杂阴离子的同时测定,结果令人满意。     

Simultaneous determination of atorvastatin calcium, ezetimibe, and fenofibrate in a tablet formulation by HPLC

An accurate, simple, reproducible, and sensitive HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of atorvastatin calcium, ezetimibe, and fenofibrate in a tablet formulation. The analyses were performed on an RP C18 column, 150 x 4.60 mm id, 5 pm particle size. The mobile phase methanol-acetonitrile-water (76 + 13 + 11, v/v/v), was pumped at a constant flow rate of 1 mL/min. UV detection was performed at 253 nm. Retention times of atorvastatin calcium, ezetimibe, and fenofibrate were found to be 2.25, 3.68, and 6.41 min, respectively. The method was validated in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy, LOD, LOQ, and robustness. The response was linear in the range 2-10 microg/mL (r2 = 0.998) for atorvastatin calcium, 2-10 microg/mL (r2 = 0.998) for ezetimibe, and 40-120 microg/mL (r2 = 0.998) for fenofibrate. The developed method can be used for routine quality analysis of the drugs in the tablet formulation.     

Quantitative thin-layer chromatographic method of analysis of azithromycin in pure and capsule forms

A validated stability-indicating thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) method of the analysis of azithromycin (AZT) in bulk and capsule forms is developed. Both AZT potential impurity and degradation products can be selectively and accurately estimated in both raw material and product onto one precoated silica-gel TLC plate 60F254. The development system used is n-hexane-ethyl acetate-diethylamine (75:25:10, v/v/v). The separated bands are detected as brown to brownish red spots after spraying with modified Dragendorff's solution. The Rf values of AZT, azaerythromycin A, and the three degradation products are 0.54, 0.35, 0.40, 0.20, and 0.12, respectively. The optical densities of the separated spots are found to be linear in proportion to the amount used. The stress testing of AZT shows that azaerythromycin A is the major impurity and degradation product, accompanied by three other unknown degradation products. The stability of AZT is studied under accelerated conditions in order to provide a rapid indication of differences that might result from a change in the manufacturing process or source of the sample. The forced degradation conditions include the effect of heat, moisture, light, acid-base hydrolysis, sonication, and oxidation. The compatibility of AZT with the excipients used is also studied in the presence and absence of moisture. The amounts of AZT and azaerythromycin A are calculated from the corresponding linear calibration curve; however, the amounts of any other generated or detected unknown impurities are calculated as if it were AZT. This method shows enough selectivity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, linearity-range, and robustness to satisfy Federal Drug Administration/International Conference of Harmonization regulatory requirements. The method developed can also be used for the purity testing of AZT raw material and capsules, content uniformity testing, dissolution testing, and stability testing of AZT capsules. The potential impurity profiles of both active AZT material and capsule forms are found comparable. The linear range of AZT is between 5 and 30 mcg/spot with a limit of quantitation of 2 mcg/spot. The intraassay relative standard deviation percentage is not more than 0.54%, and the day-to-day variation is not more than 0.86%, calculated on the amounts of AZT RS recovered using different TLC plates.     

Development and validation of a rapid reversed-phase HPLC method for the determination of insulin from nanoparticulate systems

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed and validated for the determination of insulin in nanoparticulate dosage forms. Its application for the development and characterization of insulin-loaded nanoparticulates composed of polyelectrolytes has also been carried out. A reversed-phase (RP) C18 column and gradient elution with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile (ACN) and 0.1% aqueous trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) solution at a flow rate of 1 mL/min was used. Protein identification was made by UV detection at 214 nm. The gradient changed from 30:70 (ACN:TFA, v/v) to 40:60 (v/v) in 5 min followed by isocratic elution at 40:60 (v/v) for a further five minutes. The method was linear in the range of 1-100 microg/mL (R2 = 0.9996), specific with a good inter-day and intra-day precision based on relative standard deviation values (less than 3.80%). The recovery was between 98.86 and 100.88% and the detection and quantitation limits were 0.24 and 0.72 microg/mL, respectively. The method was further tested for the determination of the association efficiency of insulin to nanoparticulate carriers composed of alginate and chitosan, as well as its loading capacity for this protein. Encapsulant release under simulated gastrointestinal fluids was evaluated. The method can be used for development and characterization of insulin-loaded nanoparticles made from cross-linked chitosan-alginate.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定不同饲料中30种真菌毒素

采用QuEChERS前处理技术,建立了超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UHPLC-MS/MS)检测不同饲料样品(预混料、浓缩料和配合料)中30种真菌毒素含量的分析方法。饲料样品经5 mL水和5 mL含1%(v/v)甲酸的乙腈溶液提取后,取上清液氮吹至近干,残渣经1 mL 5 mmol/L醋酸铵水溶液-乙腈(80∶20,v/v)复溶后,上机测定。采用基质匹配标准曲线结合同位素内标法进行定量分析。在低、中、高3个添加水平下,30种真菌毒素的平均加标回收率为72.0%~118.4%(n=5),30种真菌毒素在各自的线性范围内线性关系良好,相关系数(r 2)≥0.99,检出限(LOD,S/N=3)和定量限(LOQ,S/N=10)分别为0.7~20μg/L和2~50μg/L。该法简单、快速、实用性强,适用于预混料、浓缩料和配合料中30种真菌毒素的定量分析。     

Liquid chromatographic method for enantiopurity control of alaptide using polysaccharide stationary phases

Separation of veterinary drug alaptide ((S)-8-methyl-6,9-diazaspiro(4,5)decane-7,10-dione) from a chiral impurity (R-enantiomer) was developed. Five chiral columns (three amylose and two cellulose type) were evaluated in a reversed-phase system. Three of them offered satisfactory enantiomeric resolution. Finally, three methods were validated and proved to be applicable for the determination of a chiral impurity content below 0.1% (method A: 3-AmyCoat column, tris-[3,5-dimethylphenyl]carbamoyl amylose; mobile phase: water/methanol/propan-2-ol/butan-2-ol=75:20:3.5:1.5 v/v, flow rate: 0.40 mL/min; column temperature: 30 °C; method B: Chiralpak AS-3R, tris-[1-phenylethyl]carbamoyl amylose; water/acetonitrile=80:20 v/v, 0.40 mL/min; 40 °C; method C: Chiralcel OZ-3R, tris-[3-chloro-4-methylphenyl] carbamoyl cellulose; water/acetonitrile=80:20 v/v, 0.40 mL/min; 40 °C). Some decrease in efficiency with repeated sample injections was observed for the 3-AmyCoat column. The resistance to mass transfer in the stationary phase increased probably due to the change in chiral selector conformation. This effect was considerably suppressed by propan-2-ol or to a greater extent by butan-2-ol added to a mobile phase. Simple regeneration was also suggested to recover efficiency of the column.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of pantoprazole and its main impurities in pharmaceuticals

An RP-HPLC method for simultaneous separation and quantification of pantoprazole and its five main impurities in pharmaceutical formulations was developed and validated. The separation was accomplished on a Zorbax Eclipse XDB C18 column (5 microm particle size, 150 x 4.6 mm id) using a gradient with mobile phase A [buffer-acetonitrile (70 + 30, v/v)], and mobile phase B [buffer-acetonitrile (30 + 70, v/v)]. The buffer was 0.01 M ammonium acetate solution with addition of 1 mL triethylamine/L of the solution, adjusted to pH 4.5 with orthophosphoric acid. The eluent flow rate was 1 mL/min, the temperature of the column was 30 degrees C, and the eluate was monitored at 290 nm. Linearity (r = 0.999), recovery (97.6-105.8%), RSD (0.55-1.90%), and LOQ (0.099-1.48 microg/mL) were evaluated and found to be satisfactory. The proposed method can be used for simultaneous identification and quantification of the analyzed compounds in pharmaceutical formulations.     

Quantitation of a de‐fluorinated analogue of Casopitant Mesylate by normal‐phase liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

The introduction of Quality by Design (QbD) in Drug Development has resulted in a greater emphasis on chemical process understanding, in particular on the origin and fate of impurities. Therefore, the identification and quantitation of low level impurities in new Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) play a crucial role in project progression and this has created a greater need for sensitive and selective analytical methodology. Consequently, scientists are constantly challenged to look for new applications of traditional analytical techniques. In this context a normal‐phase liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS) method was developed to determine the amount of a de‐fluorinated analogue impurity in Casopitant Mesylate, a new API under development in GlaxoSmithKline, Verona. Normal‐phase LC provided the selectivity needed between our target analyte and Casopitant, while a single quadrupole mass spectrometer was used to ensure the sensitivity needed to detect the impurity at <0.05%w/w. Standard solutions and samples were prepared in heptane/ethanol (50:50, v/v) containing 1% of 2 M NH₃ in ethanol; the mobile phase consisted of heptane/ethanol (95:5, v/v) with isocratic elution (flow rate: 1.0 mL/min, total run time: 23 min). To allow the formation of ions in solutions under normal‐phase (apolar) conditions, a post‐column infusion of a solution of 0.1% v/v of formic acid in methanol was applied (flow rate: 200 µL/min). The analysis was carried out in positive ion mode, monitoring the impurity by single ion monitoring (SIM). The method was fully validated and its applicability was demonstrated by the analysis of real‐life samples. This work is an example of the need for selective and accurate methodology during the development of a new chemical entity in order to develop an appropriate control strategy for impurities to ultimately ensure patient safety. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定鸡肝中残留的四环素类、磺胺类和喹诺酮类药物

采用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)在正离子模式下通过多反应监测(MRM)方式同时测定了鸡肝脏组织中3种四环素类药物、10种磺胺类药物以及8种喹诺酮类药物的残留。试样由McIlvaine缓冲液-乙腈(体积比为1:4)、乙腈提取,合并上清液并用氮气吹干,用0.05 mol/L磷酸三乙胺缓冲液-乙腈(体积比为85:15)溶解残余物,经正己烷脱脂后,采用UPLC-MS/MS进行定性、定量分析。该方法对测定的21种药物的检出限均为2 μg/kg,定量限均为5 μg/kg。在添加水平分别为5,10和50 μg/kg时,21种药物的加标回收率为66.8%～128.5%,日内测定的相对标准偏差(RSD)为0.8%～20.2%,日间测定的RSD为2.2%～15.3%。该方法可作为动物源性食品中这3类药物残留检测的确证方法。     

Column and thin-layer chromatographic methods for the simultaneous determination of acediasulfone in the presence of cinchocaine, and cefuroxime in the presence of its hydrolytic degradation products

Column liquid chromatography (LC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC)-densitometry methods are described for simultaneous determination of acediasulfone (Ace) and cinchocaine (Cinco). In the LC method, the separation and quantitation of the 2 drugs was achieved on a Zorbax C8 column (5 microm, 150 x 4.6 mm id) using a mobile phase composed of methanol-phosphate buffer, pH 2.5 (66 + 34, v/v), at a flow rate of 1 mL/min and ultraviolet detection at 300 and 327 nm for Ace and Cinco, respectively. The method showed linearity over concentration ranges of 20-200 and 45-685 microg/mL, respectively. In the TLC-densitometry method, a mobile phase composed of methanol-tetrahydrofuran-acetic acid (45 + 5 + 0.5, v/v/v) was used for the separation of the 2 drugs. The linearity range was 0.5-4 and 2-9 microg/spot, respectively. In addition, stability indicating TLC-densitometry method has been developed for determination of cefuroxime sodium in the presence of 5-70% of its known hydrolytic degradation products. The mobile phase butanol-methanol-tetrahydrofuran-concentrated ammonium hydroxide (50 + 50 + 50' + 5, v/v/v/v) was used. The concentration range was 2-10 microg/spot. The optimized methods proved to be specific and accurate for the analysis of the cited drugs in laboratory-prepared mixtures and dosage forms. The obtained results agreed statistically with those obtained by the reference methods.     

Development and validation of a stability-indicating RP-HPLC method for determination of atomoxetine hydrochloride in tablets

This paper describes the development of a stability-indicating RP-HPLC method for the determination of atomoxetine hydrochloride (ATX) in the presence of its degradation products generated from forced decomposition studies. The drug substance was subjected to stress conditions of acid, base, oxidation, wet heat, dry heat, and photodegradation. In stability tests, the drug was susceptible to acid, base, oxidation, and dry and wet heat degradation. It was found to be stable under the photolytic conditions tested. The drug was successfully separated from the degradation products formed under stress conditions on a Phenomenex C18 column (250 x 4.6 mm id, 5 microm particle size) by using acetonitrile-methanol-0.032 M ammonium acetate (55 + 05 + 40, v/v/v) as the mobile phase at 1.0 mL/min and 40 degrees C. Photodiode array detection at 275 nm was used for quantitation after RP-HPLC over the concentration range of 0.5-5 microg/mL with a mean recovery of 100.8 +/- 0.4% for ATX. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the method is repeatable, specific, and accurate for the estimation of ATX. Because the method effectively separates the drug from its degradation products, it can be used as a stability-indicating method.     

Simultaneous determination of chlordiazepoxide and selected antidepressants using CZE

A simple CE method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of chlordiazepoxide (CHL), amitriptyline, and nortriptyline (mixture I) or the determination of CHL and imipramine (mixture II) using the same BGE. Sertraline and amitriptyline were used as internal standards for the first and second mixtures, respectively. The method allows amitriptyline to be completely separated from its impurity and main metabolite nortriptyline, which can be quantified from 0.2 μg/mL. The separation was achieved using 20 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 5 containing 12 mM β‐cyclodextrin and 1 mM carboxymethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin. UV detection was performed at 200 nm and a voltage of 15 kV was applied on an uncoated fused‐silica capillary at 25°C. These experimental conditions allowed separation of the compounds to be obtained in 7 min. Calibration graphs proved the linearity up to 40 μg/mL for CHL, up to 100 μg/mL for amitriptyline and imipramine, and up to 5 μg/mL for nortriptyline. The accuracy and precision of the method have been determined by analyzing synthetic mixtures and pharmaceutical formulations. The analytical results were quite good in all cases indicating that the method was linear, sensitive, precise, accurate, and selective for both mixtures.     

Evaluation and validation of an HPLC procedure for the determination of the positional isomeric impurity in 2-[4-(1-hydroxy-4-[4-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1-piperidinyl]-butyl)-phenyl]-2-methylpropionic acid

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedure was evaluated for the determination of a positional isomeric impurity in bulk 2-[4-(1-hydroxy-4-[4-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1-piperidinyl]-butyl)-phenyl]-2-methylpropionic acid HCl drug substance. The use of a β-cyclodextrin bonded-phase column with a mobile phase of 20/80 (v/v) acetonitrile/water containing an ammonium acetate buffer at apparent pH 4.0 and a flow rate of 0.45 mL/min resulted in an excellent separation of the isomers. Ultraviolet detection was used at 220 nm. A recovery study of known spike levels (0.1 to 1.5% w/w) showed that the procedure was accurate. A two-day, two-column repeatability study showed consistent results with the test batch of the bulk compound. The level of impurity in the tested lot of the compound had a mean level of 0.32% (w/w) and a standard deviation of 0.038% (w/w, n = 5). The text was submitted by the author in English.