Packed column supercritical fluid chromatographic separation and estimation of acetaminophen, diclofenac sodium and methocarbamol in pharmaceutical dosage forms

A reproducible and fast method has been developed for the assay of acetaminophen, methocarbamol, and diclofenac sodium in bulk and drug forms using packed column supercritical fluid chromatography employing internal standard method. The analytes were resolved by elution with supercritical fluid carbon dioxide doped with 11.1% (v/v) methanol on a Shendon-Phenyl (250x4.6 mm) 5 mum column with detection monitored spectrophotometrically at 225 nm. The densities and polarities of the mobile phase were optimised from the effects of pressure, temperature and modifier concentration on chromatograhic figures like retention time (t(R), min), retention factor (k(')) etc. Modifier concentration proved to be the most effective means for changing both retention and selectivity. Calibration data and recovery of the drug from spiked concentrations were determined to assess the viability of the method. The supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) method was directly compared to an HPLC assay, developed in the laboratory, of the same analytes. With respect to speed and use of organic solvents SFC was found to be superior, while in all other aspects the results were similar to HPLC. The method has been successfully used for the assay of two formulations containing a combination of (A) acetaminophen and methocarbamol and (B) acetaminophen and diclofenac sodium. There was no interference from excipients. The present work validates the recent proposition that supercritical fluid chromatography using CO(2) and modifiers is a viable, faster alternative to reverse phase HPLC.