Stress Degradation Studies on Aripiprazole and Development of a Validated Stability Indicating LC Method

The present paper describes the development of a stability indicating reversed phase column liquid chromatographic method for aripiprazole in the presence of its impurities and degradation products generated from forced decomposition studies. The drug substance was subjected to stress conditions of aqueous hydrolysis, oxidative, photolytic and thermal stress degradation. The degradation of aripiprazole was observed under acid hydrolysis and peroxide. The drug was found to be stable to other stress conditions attempted. Successful separation of the drug from the synthetic impurities and degradation products formed under stress conditions was achieved on an Inertsil phenyl column using a mixture of 0.2% trifluoroacetic acid and acetonitrile (55:45, v/v). The developed LC method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity and robustness. The assay method was found linear in the range of 25–200 μg mL^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999 and the linearity of the impurities were established from LOQ to 0.3%. Recoveries of the assay and impurities were found between 97.2 and 104.6%. The developed LC method for the related substances and assay determination of aripiprazole can be used to evaluate the quality of regular production samples. It can also be used to test the stability samples of aripiprazole. To the best of our knowledge, the validated stability indicating LC method which separates all the impurities disclosed in this investigation was not published elsewhere.     

Stability-Indicating LC Method for the Determination of Olmesartan in Bulk Drug and in Pharmaceutical Dosage Form

A novel stability-indicating LC assay method was developed and validated for quantitative determination of olmesartan in bulk drugs and in pharmaceutical dosage form in the presence of degradation products generated from forced degradation studies. An isocratic, reversed phase LC method was developed to separate the drug from the degradation products, using an Ace5-C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column, and 50 mM ammonium acetate (pH-5.5 by acetic acid) and acetonitrile (70:30 v/v) as a mobile phase. The detection was carried out at the wavelength of 235 nm. The olmesartan was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis (acid, base), oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation. Degradation was observed for olmesartan in acid, base and in 30% H₂O₂ conditions. The drug was found to be stable in the other stress conditions attempted. The degradation products were well resolved from the main peak. The percentage recovery of olmesartan ranged from (99.89 to 100.95%) in pharmaceutical dosage form. The developed method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy (recovery), precision, specificity and robustness. The forced degradation studies prove the stability-indicating power of the method.

     

Stress Degradation Studies on Dutasteride and Development of a Stability-Indicating HPLC Assay Method for Bulk Drug and Pharmaceutical Dosage Form

A simple stability-indicating LC method has been developed for the quantitative determination of dutasteride in bulk drug samples and in pharmaceutical dosage forms in the presence of degradation products. The retention time of dutasteride is about 7 min. The drug was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation. Degradation was found to occur under hydrolysis and to a lesser extent under oxidation conditions but the compound was stable to photolytic and thermal stress. The assay of stress samples was calculated against a reference standard and the mass balance was found close to 99.3%. The developed method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision and ruggedness.     

Characterization of degradation products of Ivabradine by LC‐HR‐MS/MS: a typical case of exhibition of different degradation behaviour in HCl and H2SO4 acid hydrolysis

A validated stability‐indicating HPLC method was established, and comprehensive stress testing of ivabradine, a cardiotonic drug, was carried out as per ICH guidelines. Ivabradine was subjected to acidic, basic and neutral hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal stress conditions, and the resulting degradation products were investigated by LC‐PDA and LC‐HR‐MS/MS. The drug was found to degrade in acid and base hydrolysis. An efficient and selective stability assay method was developed on Phenomenex Luna C18 (250 × 4.6 mm, 5.0 µm) column using ammonium formate (10 mM, pH 3.0) and acetonitrile as mobile phase at 30 °C in gradient elution mode. The flow rate was 0.7 ml/min and detection wavelength was 286 nm. A total of five degradation products (I‐1 to I‐5) were identified and characterized by LC‐HR‐MS/MS in combination with accurate mass measurements. The drug exhibited different degradation behaviour in HCl and H₂SO₄ hydrolysis conditions. It is a unique example where two of the five degradation products in HCl hydrolysis were absent in H₂SO₄ acid hydrolysis. The present study provides guidance to revise the stress test for the determination of inherent stability of drugs containing lactam moiety under hydrolytic conditions. Most probable mechanisms for the formation of degradation products have been proposed on the basis of a comparison of the fragmentation pattern of the drug and its degradation products. In silico toxicity revealed that the degradation products ( I‐2 to I‐5 ) were found to be severe irritants in case of ocular irritancy. The analytical assay method was validated with respect to specificity, linearity, range, precision, accuracy and robustness. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification and structural characterization of major degradation products of tapentadol by using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Tapentadol, a centrally acting analgesic was subjected to hydrolysis (acidic, alkaline, and neutral), oxidation, photolysis, humidity, and thermal stress conditions as per International Conference on Harmonization prescribed guidelines. Tapentadol was found susceptible to oxidative stress that produced two major degradation products DP-I and DP-II. However, it was stable to hydrolysis, photolysis, and thermal stress conditions. A simple, sensitive, and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography stability-indicating assay method (liquid chromatography–mass spectrometer compatible) was developed and validated for identification and characterization of stressed degradation products of Tapentadol. The chromatographic separation of the drug and its degradation products were achieved on Inertsil ODS, C18 (250 × 4.6 mm, i.d., 5 µm) column using a 12.5 mM aqueous ammonium acetate buffer (with 0.2% triethyl amine and final pH of buffer was adjusted to 3.60 with glacial acetic acid): acetonitrile (75:25, v/v) as a mobile phase. The degradation products were characterized by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and subsequently its fragmentation pathway as well as plausible mechanism for generation of degradation products was also proposed. The stability indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic method was validated with respect to linearity, precision, and accuracy.     

Development and Validation of a New Analytical Method for the Determination of Related Components in Tolterodine Tartarate Using LC

A novel liquid chromatographic method has been developed, and validated for the determination of tolterodine tartarate, for its potential three impurities in drug substances and drug products. Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved on a C8 stationary phase (150 × 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm particles) with a simple mobile phase combination delivered in an isocratic mode at a flow rate of 0.8 mL min^?1 and quantitation was carried out using ultraviolet detection. Microwave assisted degradation procedure was employed for stress testing studies in addition to the conventional way of a refluxing method. The results of both studies were compared. In the developed LC method, the resolution between tolterodine and its three potential impurities was found to be greater than 2.0. Regression analysis shows an r value (correlation coefficient) greater than 0.999 for tolterodine and for its three impurities. This method was capable to detect all three impurities of tolterodine at a level below 0.0038% with respect to a test concentration of 0.5 mg mL^?1 for a 10 μL injection volume. The inter- and intra-day precisions for all three impurities and for tolterodine were found to be within 1.1% RSD at its specification level. The method has shown good, consistent recoveries for tolterodine (98.9–101.6%) and for its three impurities (94.5–103.0%). The test solution was found to be stable in the diluent for 48 h. The drug was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation, as prescribed by ICH. Degradation was found to occur in alkaline stress condition, while the drug was stable to water hydrolysis, acid hydrolysis, oxidative stress, photolytic and thermal stress. The assay of stressed samples was calculated against a qualified reference standard and the mass balance was found close to 99.5%. Microwave degradations were very fast and comparable to the conventional way of the refluxing method. Robustness studies were carried out and suggested that system suitability parameters were unaffected by small changes in critical factors. The validated method was successfully applied for the determination of tolterodine tartarate in drug substances and drug products.     

Development and Validation of a New Analytical Method for the Determination of Related Components in Quetiapine Hemifumarate

A simple, sensitive isocratic rapid resolution liquid chromatographic assay method has been developed for the quantitative determination of quetiapine hemifumarate in bulk active pharmaceutical ingredient, used for the treatment of schizophrenia. The developed method is also applicable for the process related impurities determination. Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 stationary phase with simple mobile phase combination delivered in a isocratic mode and quantification was by ultraviolet detection at 225 nm at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1. In the developed LC method the resolution between quetiapine hemifumarate and its three potential impurities was found to be greater than 2.0. Regression analysis showed an r value (correlation coefficient) greater than 0.99 for quetiapine hemifumarate and its three impurities. This method was capable to detect all three impurities of quetiapine hemifumarate at a level of 0.003% with respect to test concentration of 1.0 mg mL^?1 for a 3 μL injection volume. The bulk active pharmaceutical ingredient was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation. Considerable degradation was found to occur in oxidative stress conditions. The stress samples were assayed against a qualified reference standard and the mass balance was found close to 99.5%. The developed RR-LC method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness.     

A Validated and Stability-Indicating LC Assay Method for Valdecoxib

A gradient reversed-phase liquid chromatographic assay was developed for the quantitative determination of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug valdecoxib. The developed method was also applicable to the determination of related substances in the bulk drug. Forced degradation studies were performed on bulk valdecoxib using acid (2.0 N hydrochloric acid), base (2.0 N sodium hydroxide), oxidation (6.0% v/v hydrogen peroxide), water hydrolysis, heat (60 °C) and photolysis. Mild degradation was observed using alkaline conditions and considerable degradation observed during oxidative stress. Chromatographic separation of process-related impurities and degradation products was achieved using a 5 micron Zorbax SB-CN LC column. The mobile phase consisted of aqueous potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3.0) and acetonitrile. Stressed samples were assayed using the developed LC method and determination of the mass balance accounted for 99.5%, thus indicating the suitability of this stability-indicating method. Linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness have also been evaluated.     

Stress Degradation Behavior of Entacapone and Development of LC Stability-Indicating Related Substances and Assay Method

A new, sensitive, stability indicating gradient RP-LC related substances and assay method has been developed for the quantitative determination of entacapone in bulk drugs. Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 stationary phase with simple mobile phase combination of buffer and acetonitrile. Buffer consisted of 0.1% orthophosphoric acid, delivered in a gradient mode and quantitation was carried out using ultraviolet detection at 220 nm with a flow rate of 1.5 mL min⁻¹. In the developed LC method the resolution (R _s ) between entacapone and its three potential process impurities were found to be >2.0. Regression analysis showed an r ² value (correlation coefficient) >0.99 for entacapone and its three potential impurities. This method was capable to detect all three process impurities of entacapone at a level of 0.003% with respect to test concentration of 0.5 mg mL⁻¹ for a 20 μL injection volume. The inter- and intra-day precision values for all three impurities and for entacapone was found to be within 2.0% RSD. The method has shown good and consistent recoveries for entacapone in bulk drugs (99.2–101.5%) and its three impurities (99.5–102.2%). The test solution was found to be stable in diluent for 48 h. The drug substances were subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation. Considerable degradation was found to occur in acid stress, base stress and oxidative conditions. The stressed test solutions were assayed against the qualified working standard of entacapone and the mass balance in each case was close to 99.7% indicating that the developed method was stability-indicating. The developed RP-LC method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness.

     

Development of a New Analytical Method for Determination of Related Components in Nateglinide

An isocratic reverse phase liquid chromatographic (RP-LC) assay method has been developed for the quantitative determination of nateglinide and its related components namely imp-1 and imp-2 in bulk drug and in pharmaceutical dosage form, used for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus. The developed method is stability indicating and also can be used for stability testing. The chromatographic separation was achieved on C-8, 150 × 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm stationary phase. The LC method employs solution A as mobile phase. Solution A contains a mixture of phosphate buffer pH 3.0: acetonitrile (50:50 v/v). The flow rate was 1.0 mL min⁻¹ and the detection wavelength was 210 nm. In the developed LC method the resolution between nateglinide and its potential impurities namely imp-1 and imp-2 was found to be greater than 5.0. The drug was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation. Considerable degradation was found to occur in acid medium, alkaline medium and oxidative stress conditions. The stress samples were assayed against a qualified reference standard and the mass balance was found close to 99.2%. The developed RP-LC method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness.     

Stress Degradation Behavior of Entacapone and Development of LC Stability-Indicating Related Substances and Assay Method

A new, sensitive, stability indicating gradient RP-LC related substances and assay method has been developed for the quantitative determination of entacapone in bulk drugs. Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 stationary phase with simple mobile phase combination of buffer and acetonitrile. Buffer consisted of 0.1% orthophosphoric acid, delivered in a gradient mode and quantitation was carried out using ultraviolet detection at 220 nm with a flow rate of 1.5 mL min^?1. In the developed LC method the resolution (R _s ) between entacapone and its three potential process impurities were found to be >2.0. Regression analysis showed an r ² value (correlation coefficient) >0.99 for entacapone and its three potential impurities. This method was capable to detect all three process impurities of entacapone at a level of 0.003% with respect to test concentration of 0.5 mg mL^?1 for a 20 μL injection volume. The inter- and intra-day precision values for all three impurities and for entacapone was found to be within 2.0% RSD. The method has shown good and consistent recoveries for entacapone in bulk drugs (99.2–101.5%) and its three impurities (99.5–102.2%). The test solution was found to be stable in diluent for 48 h. The drug substances were subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation. Considerable degradation was found to occur in acid stress, base stress and oxidative conditions. The stressed test solutions were assayed against the qualified working standard of entacapone and the mass balance in each case was close to 99.7% indicating that the developed method was stability-indicating. The developed RP-LC method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness.     

Development and Validation of a New LC Method for Analysis of Brimonidine Tartrate and Related Compounds

A novel liquid chromatographic method for analysis three potential impurities in brimonidine tartrate drug substance has been developed and validated. Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved on a C₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5-μm particles) with a simple mobile-phase gradient at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹. Quantification was achieved by use of ultraviolet detection at 248 nm. Resolution between brimonidine tartrate and its three potential impurities was greater than 3.0. Regression analysis showed the r value (correlation coefficient) was >0.999 for brimonidine and its three impurities. The method was capable of detecting all three impurities of brimonidine tartrate at levels below 0.07 μg in a test concentration of brimonidine tartrate of 1.0 mg mL⁻¹ and for an injection volume of 10 μL. A solution of brimonidine tartrate in acetonitrile–water 2:8 (v/v) was stable for 48 h. The drug was subjected to stress conditions as prescribed by the ICH. Degradation was found to occur slightly under oxidative stress conditions but the drug was stable to aqueous, acidic, and basic hydrolysis, and photolytic and thermal stress. The assay of the stressed samples was calculated relative to a qualified reference standard and the mass balance was found close to 99.8%. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness.

     

LC–MS/MS method for the characterization of the forced degradation products of Entecavir

A rapid, specific, and reliable isocratic LC–MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the identification and characterization of the stressed degradation products of Entecavir (ETV). ETV, an antiviral drug, was subjected to hydrolysis (acidic, alkaline, and neutral), oxidation, photolysis and thermal stress, as per the international conference on harmonization specified conditions. The drug showed extensive degradation under oxidative and acid hydrolysis stress conditions. However, it was stable to thermal, acidic, neutral, and photolysis stress conditions. A total of five degradation products were observed and the chromatographic separation of the drug and its degradation products were achieved on a Waters Symmetry C₁₈ (250 mm × 4.6 mm, id, 5 μm) column using 20 mM ammonium acetate (pH 3)/acetonitrile (50:50, v/v) as a mobile phase. The degradation products were characterized by LC–MS/MS and its fragmentation pathways were proposed. The LC–MS method was validated with respect to specificity, linearity, accuracy, and precision. No previous reports were found in the literature regarding the degradation behavior of ETV.     

Stability-Indicating HPLC Method for the Determination of Cefcapene Pivoxil

The stability-indicating LC assay method was developed and validated for quantitative determination of cefcapene pivoxil in the presence of degradation products formed during forced degradation studies. An isocratic RP-HPLC method was developed with a Lichrospher RP-18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column and the mobile phase composed of 45 volumes of acetonitrile and 55 volumes of mixture composed of citric acid 10 mmol L^?1 and potassium chloride 18 mmol L^?1. The flow rate of the mobile phase was 1 mL min^?1. Detection wavelength was 270 nm and temperature was 30 °C. Cefcapene pivoxil, similar to other cephalosporins, was subjected to stress conditions of degradation in aqueous solutions including hydrolysis, oxidation, and thermal degradation. The method was validated with regard to linearity, accuracy, precision, selectivity, and robustness. The method was applied successfully for the determination of cefcapene pivoxil during kinetic studies in aqueous solutions (pH and thermal degradation) and in solid state (oxidative, thermal, and radiolytic degradation).     

Development and Validation of a New LC Method for Analysis of Brimonidine Tartrate and Related Compounds

A novel liquid chromatographic method for analysis three potential impurities in brimonidine tartrate drug substance has been developed and validated. Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved on a C₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5-μm particles) with a simple mobile-phase gradient at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1. Quantification was achieved by use of ultraviolet detection at 248 nm. Resolution between brimonidine tartrate and its three potential impurities was greater than 3.0. Regression analysis showed the r value (correlation coefficient) was >0.999 for brimonidine and its three impurities. The method was capable of detecting all three impurities of brimonidine tartrate at levels below 0.07 μg in a test concentration of brimonidine tartrate of 1.0 mg mL^?1 and for an injection volume of 10 μL. A solution of brimonidine tartrate in acetonitrile–water 2:8 (v/v) was stable for 48 h. The drug was subjected to stress conditions as prescribed by the ICH. Degradation was found to occur slightly under oxidative stress conditions but the drug was stable to aqueous, acidic, and basic hydrolysis, and photolytic and thermal stress. The assay of the stressed samples was calculated relative to a qualified reference standard and the mass balance was found close to 99.8%. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness.     

A Validated RP-LC Method for Advanced Intermediate of Rabeprazole Sodium

The present paper describes the development of a reversed phase liquid chromatographic method for advanced intermediate of rabeprazole sodium (RBS-1) in the presence of its impurities. Successful separation of RBS-1 from the synthetic impurities achieved on a Inertsil ODS3V C18, 150 mm × 4.6 mm column. The developed LC method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity and ruggedness. To the best of our knowledge, a validated stability indicating LC method which separates all the impurities disclosed in this investigation was not published elsewhere.

     

A Stability Indicating LC Method for Deferasirox in Bulk Drugs and Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

A novel, sensitive, stability indicating RP-LC method has been developed for the quantitative determination of deferasirox, its related impurities in both bulk drugs and pharmaceutical dosage forms. Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 stationary phase with simple mobile phase combination delivered in an isocratic mode and quantitation was by ultraviolet detection at 245 nm. The mobile phase consisted of buffer, acetonitrile and methanol (50:45:5, v/v) delivered at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1. Buffer consisted of 10 mM potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate monohydrate, pH adjusted to 3.0 by using orthophosphoric acid. In the developed LC method the resolution (R _s ) between deferasirox and its four potential impurities was found to be greater than 2.0. Regression analysis showed an r value (correlation coefficient) greater than 0.999 for deferasirox and its four impurities. This method was capable to detect all four impurities of deferasirox at a level of 0.002% with respect to test concentration of 0.5 mg mL^?1 for a 10 μL injection volume. The inter- and intra-day precision values for all four impurities and for deferasirox was found to be within 2.0% RSD. The method showed good and consistent recoveries for deferasirox in bulk drugs (98.3–101.1%), pharmaceutical dosage forms (100.2–103.1%) and for its all the four impurities (99.7–102.1%). The test solution was found to be stable in methanol for 48 h. The drug was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation. Considerable degradation was found to occur in acid stress hydrolysis. The stress samples were assayed against a qualified reference standard and the mass balance was found close to 99.95%. The developed RP-LC method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness.     

Study of the Degradation Kinetics of Carvedilol by Use of a Validated Stability-Indicating LC Method

The objectives of this investigation were to establish a validated stability-indicating LC method for assay of carvedilol and to study the degradation behaviour of the drug under different ICH-recommended stress conditions. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C₁₈ column with 55:45 (%, v/v) acetonitrile–0.02 m phosphate buffer, pH 3.5, as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1; detection was by UV absorbance at 242 nm. The method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, specificity, and sensitivity, with the bulk drug. The drug was subjected to forced degradation and peaks of all the degradation products were well resolved from that of the pure drug, with significantly different retention times, which indicates the specificity and stability-indicating properties of the method. First-order degradation kinetics of carvedilol were observed under acidic and alkaline conditions. When the utility of the method was verified by analysis of the drug in marketed tablets and a nano-emulsion formulation, the assay was found to be 98.60–99.61 and 99.52–99.87, respectively. These results indicate the method can be successfully used for routine analysis of carvedilol in the bulk drug and in pharmaceutical dosage forms.     

Stability-Indicating LC Determination of Nitazoxanide in Bulk Drug and in Pharmaceutical Dosage Form

A novel stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic assay method was developed and validated for quantitative determination of nitazoxanide in bulk drugs and in pharmaceutical dosage form in the presence of degradation products generated from forced decomposition studies. An isocratic, reversed phase LC method was developed to separate the drug from the degradation products, using an Ace5- C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column, and 50 mM ammonium acetate (pH 5.5 by acetic acid) and acetonitrile (55:45 v/v) as a mobile phase. The detection was carried out at a wavelength of 240 nm. The nitazoxanide was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis (acid, base), oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation. Degradation was observed for nitazoxanide in base, acid and in 30% H₂O₂ conditions. The drug was found to be stable in the other stress conditions attempted. The degradation products were well resolved from the main peak. The percentage recovery of nitazoxanide was from (100.55 to 101.25%) in the pharmaceutical dosage form. The developed method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy (recovery), precision, system suitability, specificity and robustness. The forced degradation studies prove the stability indicating power of the method.     

Development and Validation of a Stability Indicating LC Method for the Determination of Faropenem in Pharmaceutical Formulations

A simple, selective and sensitive stability indicating LC method has been developed and validated for the determination of faropenem in bulk drug and pharmaceutical formulations in the presence of degradation products. The separation was achieved by using an isocratic mobile phase mixture of acetate buffer of pH 3.5 and methanol (65:35, v/v) and 250 mm × 4.6 mm I.D., 5 μm particle size SGE make Wakosil C-18 AR column at flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1 with detection at 305 nm. The retention time of faropenem is 6.63 min and was linear in the range of 5–75 μg mL^?1 (r = 0.9999). The drug was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation and was found to be unstable in all the stress conditions. The proposed method was successfully employed for quantification of faropenem in bulk drug and its pharmaceutical formulations.