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Vikram HP, Kumar TP, Kumar G, Beeraka NM, Deka R, Suhail SM, Jat S, Bannimath N, Padmanabhan G, Chandan RS, Kumar P, Gurupadayya B. Nitrosamines crisis in pharmaceuticals - Insights on toxicological implications, root causes and risk assessment: A systematic review. J Pharm Anal 2024; 14:100919. [PMID: 38799236 PMCID: PMC11126534 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The presence of N-nitroso compounds, particularly N-nitrosamines, in pharmaceutical products has raised global safety concerns due to their significant genotoxic and mutagenic effects. This systematic review investigates their toxicity in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), drug products, and pharmaceutical excipients, along with novel analytical strategies for detection, root cause analysis, reformulation strategies, and regulatory guidelines for nitrosamines. This review emphasizes the molecular toxicity of N-nitroso compounds, focusing on genotoxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, and other physiological effects. Additionally, it addresses the ongoing nitrosamine crisis, the development of nitrosamine-free products, and the importance of sensitive detection methods and precise risk evaluation. This comprehensive overview will aid molecular biologists, analytical scientists, formulation scientists in research and development sector, and researchers involved in management of nitrosamine-induced toxicity and promoting safer pharmaceutical products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemanth P.R. Vikram
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy Mysuru, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER), Mysuru, 570015, India
- Xenone Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 110076, India
| | - Tegginamath Pramod Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy Mysuru, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER), Mysuru, 570015, India
| | - Gunjan Kumar
- Xenone Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 110076, India
| | - Narasimha M. Beeraka
- Department of Human Anatomy, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
- Department of Pharmacology, Raghavendra Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (RIPER), Ananthapuramu, 515721, India
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Rajashree Deka
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, 781014, India
| | - Sheik Mohammed Suhail
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy Mysuru, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER), Mysuru, 570015, India
| | - Sandeep Jat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Guwahati, Changsari, 781101, India
| | - Namitha Bannimath
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Galway, Galway, H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Gayatiri Padmanabhan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy Mysuru, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER), Mysuru, 570015, India
| | - Ravandur S. Chandan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy Mysuru, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER), Mysuru, 570015, India
| | - Pramod Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Guwahati, Changsari, 781101, India
| | - Bannimath Gurupadayya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy Mysuru, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER), Mysuru, 570015, India
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Dharani S, Mohamed EM, Rahman Z, Khan MA. Patient In-Use Stability Testing of FDA-Approved Metformin Combination Products for N-Nitrosamine Impurity. AAPS PharmSciTech 2024; 25:19. [PMID: 38267707 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-023-02724-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Between February 2020 and January 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled 281 metformin extended-release products due to the presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) above the acceptable daily intake (ADI, 96 ng/day). Our previous studies indicated presence of NDMA levels above ADI in both metformin immediate and extended-release products. When metformin products have NDMA impurities, it is indispensable to check for the same impurities in metformin combination products. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate in-use stability of commercial metformin combination products for NDMA. For this purpose, metformin products in combination with glyburide (GB1-GB12), glipizide (GP1-GP8), pioglitazone (P1-P3), alogliptin (A1, A2), and linagliptin (L1, L2) were repacked in pharmacy vials, stored at 30°C/75% RH for 3 months, and monitored for NDMA impurity. The NDMA level varied from 0 to 156.8 ± 32.8 ng/tablet initially and increased to 25.4 ± 5.1 to 455.0 ± 28.4 ng/tablet after 3 months of exposure to in-use condition. Initially, 18 products have NDMA level below ADI limit before exposure which decreased to 7 products (GB5, GP3, GP5, A1, A2, L1, and L2) meeting specification. In conclusion, in-use stability study provides quality and safety risk assessment of drug products where nitroso impurities are detected in the probable condition of use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathish Dharani
- Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, 159 Reynolds Medical Sciences Building, College Station, Texas, 77843-1114, USA
| | - Eman M Mohamed
- Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, 159 Reynolds Medical Sciences Building, College Station, Texas, 77843-1114, USA
| | - Ziyaur Rahman
- Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, 159 Reynolds Medical Sciences Building, College Station, Texas, 77843-1114, USA
| | - Mansoor A Khan
- Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, 159 Reynolds Medical Sciences Building, College Station, Texas, 77843-1114, USA.
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Tsuji G, Kurohara T, Shoda T, Yokoo H, Ito T, Masada S, Uchiyama N, Yamamoto E, Demizu Y. In Silico Prediction of N-Nitrosamine Formation Pathways of Pharmaceutical Products. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2024; 72:166-172. [PMID: 38296559 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c23-00550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The recent discovery of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a mutagenic N-nitrosamine, in pharmaceuticals has adversely impacted the global supply of relevant pharmaceutical products. Contamination by N-nitrosamines diverts resources and time from research and development or pharmaceutical production, representing a bottleneck in drug development. Therefore, predicting the risk of N-nitrosamine contamination is an important step in preventing pharmaceutical contamination by DNA-reactive impurities for the production of high-quality pharmaceuticals. In this study, we first predicted the degradation pathways and impurities of model pharmaceuticals, namely gliclazide and indapamide, in silico using an expert-knowledge software. Second, we verified the prediction results with a demonstration test, which confirmed that N-nitrosamines formed from the degradation of gliclazide and indapamide in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, especially under alkaline conditions. Furthermore, the pathways by which degradation products formed were determined using ranitidine, a compound previously demonstrated to generate NDMA. The prediction indicated that a ranitidine-related compound served as a potential source of nitroso groups for NDMA formation. In silico software is expected to be useful for developing methods to assess the risk of N-nitrosamine formation from pharmaceuticals.
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Shakleya D, Asmelash B, Alayoubi A, Abrigo N, Mohammad A, Wang J, Zhang J, Yang J, Marzan TA, Li D, Shaklah M, Alsharif FM, Desai S, Faustino PJ, Ashraf M, O'Connor T, Vera M, Raw A, Sayeed VA, Keire D. Bumetanide as a Model NDSRI Substrate: N-nitrosobumetanide Impurity Formation and its Inhibition in Bumetanide Tablets. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:3075-3087. [PMID: 37364772 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Nitrosamine compounds are classified as potential human carcinogens, the origin of these impurities can be broadly classified in two categories, nitrosamine impurity found in drug products that are not associated with the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), such as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) or nitrosamine impurities associated with the API, such as nitrosamine drug substance-related impurities (NDSRIs). The mechanistic pathway for the formation of these two classes of impurities can be different and the approach to mitigate the risk should be tailored to address the specific concern. In the last couple of years number of NDSRIs have been reported for different drug products. Though, not the only contributing factor for the formation of NDSIRs, it is widely accepted that the presence of residual a nitrites/nitrates in the components used in the manufacturing of the drug products can be the primary contributor to the formation of NDSRIs. Approaches to mitigate the formation of NDSRIs in drug products include the use of antioxidants or pH modifiers in the formulation. The primary objective of this work was to evaluate the role of different inhibitors (antioxidants) and pH modifiers in tablet formulations prepared in-house using bumetanide (BMT) as a model drug to mitigate the formation of N-nitrosobumetanide (NBMT). A multi-factor study design was created, and several bumetanide formulations were prepared by wet granulation with and without sodium nitrite spike (100 ppm) and different antioxidants (ascorbic acid, ferulic acid or caffeic acid) at three concentrations (0.1%, 0.5% or 1% of the total tablet weight). Formulations with acidic and basic pH were also prepared using 0.1 N hydrochloric acid and 0.1 N sodium bicarbonate, respectively. The formulations were subjected to different storage (temperature and humidity) conditions over 6 months and stability data was collected. The rank order of N-nitrosobumetanide inhibition was highest with alkaline pH formulations, followed by formulations with ascorbic acid, caffeic acid or ferulic acid present. In summary, we hypothesize that maintaining a basic pH or the addition of an antioxidant in the drug product can mitigate the conversion of nitrite to nitrosating agent and thus reduce the formation of bumetanide nitrosamines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diaa Shakleya
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA.
| | - Bethel Asmelash
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of lifecycle Drug product, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Alaadin Alayoubi
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Nicolas Abrigo
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Adil Mohammad
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Jiang Wang
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Jinhui Zhang
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Jingyue Yang
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Tim Andres Marzan
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - David Li
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Maha Shaklah
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Fahd M Alsharif
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Saaniya Desai
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Patrick J Faustino
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Muhammad Ashraf
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Thomas O'Connor
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Matthew Vera
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of lifecycle Drug product, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Andre Raw
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of lifecycle Drug product, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Vilayat A Sayeed
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of lifecycle Drug product, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - David Keire
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Office of Testing and Research, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
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5
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Kalauz A, Tiringer KV, Horváth V, Kapui I. Simultaneous determination of low molecular weight nitrosamines in pharmaceutical products by fast gas chromatography mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2023; 1708:464323. [PMID: 37696123 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Control of N-nitrosamines has been in the focus of health authorities in recent years because many of these compounds are probable human carcinogens. In July 2018 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall for valsartan-containing medicines due to contamination with the carcinogenic low molecular weight nitrosamine, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). It has become clear that the problem can not only exist in the case of sartans, but in any active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)/drug product in which secondary or tertiary amines are present (as API or as impurities) and a nitrosating agent is available. The decision was made by regulators, according to which manufacturers of pharmaceutical products are obliged to perform a risk assessment for the potential presence of nitrosamines in active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug products. This resulted in a high demand for validated analytical methods that are able to quantify N-nitrosamines at low ppb levels in pharmaceutical products. In this work we have developed and validated a generic fast GC-MS method suitable for the quantitative determination of a wide range of low molecular weight nitrosamines, which include N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitroso-diphenylamine (NDPh), N-nitrosodipropylamine (NDPA), N-nitrosomethylethylamine (NMEA), N-nitrosomorpholine (NMOR), N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP), N-nitroso-ethylisopropylamine (EIPNA), N-nitroso-diisopropylamine (DIPNA), N-nitroso-N-methylaniline (NMPA), 1-Methyl-4-nitrosopiperazine (MeNP) and N-nitroso-pyrrolidine (NPYR). The advantage of the method is that it is possible to screen low molecular weight nitrosamines in low concentrations with a short analysis time in a wide range of APIs and drug products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Kalauz
- Drug Substance Analytical Development Division, Egis Pharmaceuticals PLC, Keresztúri út 30-38, Budapest H-1106, Hungary.
| | - Kármen Virág Tiringer
- Drug Substance Analytical Development Division, Egis Pharmaceuticals PLC, Keresztúri út 30-38, Budapest H-1106, Hungary
| | - Viola Horváth
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Bioengineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Budapest 1111, Hungary; ELKH-BME Computation Driven Chemistry Research Group, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Budapest 1111, Hungary
| | - Imre Kapui
- Drug Substance Analytical Development Division, Egis Pharmaceuticals PLC, Keresztúri út 30-38, Budapest H-1106, Hungary
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Géhin C, O'Neill N, Moore A, Harrison M, Holman SW, Blom G. Dispersant-First Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction (DF-DLLME), a Novel Sample Preparation Procedure for NDMA Determination in Metformin Products. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:2453-2462. [PMID: 37031864 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Since December 2019, global batch recalls of metformin pharmaceutical products have highlighted an urgent need to control N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) contamination to demonstrate patient safety and maintain supply of this essential medicine. Due to their formulation, the metformin extended-release products present difficult analytical challenges for conventional sample preparation procedures, such as artefactual (in-situ) NDMA formation, gelling, and precipitation. To overcome these challenges, a new version of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) termed dispersant-first DLLME (DF-DLLME) was developed and optimized for the analysis of NDMA in metformin extended-release products using a detailed Design of Experiments (DoE) to optimize sample preparation. Gas chromatography-high resolution accurate mass-mass spectrometry (GC-HRAM-MS) combined with automated DF-DLLME were successfully applied to monitor the NDMA levels of two different metformin extended-release AstraZeneca products to ultra-trace levels (parts per billion). The additional benefits associated with DF-DLLME, which include automation, time/costs saving, and greener sample preparation, make this novel technique easier to transfer from a development to Quality Control (QC) environment. In addition, this also offers an attractive candidate for the wider platform analysis of N-nitrosamines in pharmaceutical drug products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Géhin
- Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas O'Neill
- Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Moore
- Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Harrison
- Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen W Holman
- Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
| | - Giorgio Blom
- Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, United Kingdom.
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7
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Deeb AA, Hailat M, Aldoqum HM, Abuothman M, Abuyaman O, Abu Dayyih W. An Analytical Method for Determining N-Nitrosodimethylamine and N-Nitrosodiethylamine Contamination in Irbesartan, Olmesartan and Metformin by UPLC-APCI-MS/MS in Tablet Dosage Form. J Chromatogr Sci 2023:bmad068. [PMID: 37622601 DOI: 10.1093/chromsci/bmad068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
N-nitrosamine pollutants are probable carcinogens. Regulatory agencies declared their presence in the drugs unsafe for human consumption and demanded their recall. Using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-APCI-MS/MS) in tablet dosage form based on International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) tripartite guideline criteria, we aim to develop and test a new approach for identifying and validating nitrosamine-contaminants, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in irbesartan, olmesartan and metformin. The column was Phenomenex Luna-C18, 100 × 3.0 mm and 3.0 μm. A mobile gradient phase of formic acid in either water or methanol separated the impurities. NDMA and NDEA had retention times of 0.85 and 2.55 min, respectively. The detector's linearity was established at concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 100 ng/mL. R2 for NDMA and NDEA were 0.9996 and 0.9998, respectively, with a linear response function established at 0.6-100 ng/mL. Limit of detection and limit of quantification for NDMA and NDEA were 0.35, 0.29 and 0.55, 0.37 ng/mL, respectively. On average, recovery rates for NDMA and NDEA ranged from 96.0 to 98.4 and 96.2 to 98.0%, respectively. The relative standard deviation for NDMA and NDEA was 3.46 and 2.69, respectively. According to the ICH guidelines, the developed method was quick, sensitive and valid. The pharmaceutical formulations of irbesartan, olmesartan and metformin may be regularly examined using the approach provided here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad A Deeb
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman 11733, Jordan
| | - Mohammad Hailat
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman 11733, Jordan
| | - Hani M Aldoqum
- Automated Chemical Laboratories, Royal Scientific Society, Amman 11941, Jordan
| | - Mohammad Abuothman
- Automated Chemical Laboratories, Royal Scientific Society, Amman 11941, Jordan
| | - Omar Abuyaman
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Wael Abu Dayyih
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mutah University, Al-Karak 61710, Jordan
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Liu W, Huang J, Yan Z, Lin Y, Huang G, Chen X, Wang Z, Spencer PS, Liu J. Association of N-nitrosodimethylamine exposure with cognitive impairment based on the clues of mice and humans. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1137164. [PMID: 37441677 PMCID: PMC10333700 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1137164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is an environmental and food contaminant, but limited data to concern whether NDMA has adverse effects on the brain. This study first determined the concentration of NDMA in foods from aquaculture markets in Shenzhen, then analyzed the effects on C57BL/6 mice and further evaluated on the urine samples of elderly Chinese residents with normal cognition (NC, n = 144), cognitive decline (CD, n = 116) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 123). The excessive rate of NDMA in foods was 3.32% (27/813), with a exceeding range of 4.78-131.00 μg/kg. Behavioral tests showed that 60 days treatment of mice with 3 mg/kg NDMA reduced cognitive performance. Cognitive impairment in human was significantly associated with sex, educational levels, length of residence in Shenzhen, household registration, passive smoking, rice, fresh vegetables, bacon products. NDMA was detected in 55.4% (212/383) of urine samples, with a median concentration of 0.23 μg/L (1.20 × 10 -7-157.39 μg/L). The median concentration for NC, CD and MCI were 0.32, 0.27, and 0 μg/L, respectively. The urinary NDMA concentration had a strong negative correlation with cognitive impairment (Kendall's Tau-b = -0.89, P = 0.024). The median estimated daily intake (EDI) of NDMA was determined to be 6.63 ng/kg-bw/day. Taken together, there appears to be an association between NDMA and human and murine cognition, which provides a new clue to Alzheimer's disease (AD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020–2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology of Hunan Province, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- Department of Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jia Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020–2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology of Hunan Province, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhi Yan
- Food Inspection and Quarantine Center, Shenzhen Customs, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yankui Lin
- Food Inspection and Quarantine Center, Shenzhen Customs, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guanqin Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020–2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020–2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhou Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020–2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peter S. Spencer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020–2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology of Hunan Province, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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9
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Armijo AL, Thongararm P, Fedeles BI, Yau J, Kay J, Corrigan JJ, Chancharoen M, Chawanthayatham S, Samson L, Carrasco S, Engelward B, Fox J, Croy R, Essigmann J. Molecular origins of mutational spectra produced by the environmental carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine and S N1 chemotherapeutic agents. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad015. [PMID: 36992846 PMCID: PMC10041537 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA-methylating environmental carcinogens such as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and certain alkylators used in chemotherapy form O 6-methylguanine (m6G) as a functionally critical intermediate. NDMA is a multi-organ carcinogen found in contaminated water, polluted air, preserved foods, tobacco products, and many pharmaceuticals. Only ten weeks after exposure to NDMA, neonatally-treated mice experienced elevated mutation frequencies in liver, lung and kidney of ∼35-fold, 4-fold and 2-fold, respectively. High-resolution mutational spectra (HRMS) of liver and lung revealed distinctive patterns dominated by GC→AT mutations in 5'-Pu-G-3' contexts, very similar to human COSMIC mutational signature SBS11. Commonly associated with alkylation damage, SBS11 appears in cancers treated with the DNA alkylator temozolomide (TMZ). When cells derived from the mice were treated with TMZ, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, and streptozotocin (two other therapeutic methylating agents), all displayed NDMA-like HRMS, indicating mechanistically convergent mutational processes. The role of m6G in shaping the mutational spectrum of NDMA was probed by removing MGMT, the main cellular defense against m6G. MGMT-deficient mice displayed a strikingly enhanced mutant frequency, but identical HRMS, indicating that the mutational properties of these alkylators is likely owed to sequence-specific DNA binding. In sum, the HRMS of m6G-forming agents constitute an early-onset biomarker of exposure to DNA methylating carcinogens and drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Armijo
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Pennapa Thongararm
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Bogdan I Fedeles
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Judy Yau
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jennifer E Kay
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Joshua J Corrigan
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Marisa Chancharoen
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Supawadee Chawanthayatham
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Leona D Samson
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sebastian E Carrasco
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, and The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Bevin P Engelward
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - James G Fox
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Robert G Croy
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - John M Essigmann
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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10
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Sulay R, Mathew J, Krishnan A, Thomas DVI. Comprehensive computational study on reaction mechanism of N-Nitroso dimethyl amine formation from substituted hydrazine derivatives during ozonation. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14511. [PMID: 36967895 PMCID: PMC10033754 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
N- Nitrosodimethyl amine, the simplest member of the N-Nitrosamine family, is a carcinogenic and mutagenic agent that has gained considerable research interest owing to its toxic nature. Ozonation of industrially important hydrazines, such as unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) or monomethylhydrazine (MMH), has been associated with NDMA formation and accumulation in the environment. UDMH/MMH - ozonation also leads to several other transformation products such as acetaldehyde dimethyl hydrazine (ADMH), tetramethyl tetra azene (TMT), diazomethane, methyl diazene, etc, which can be either precursors or competitors for NDMA formation. However, the relevant chemistry detailing the formation of these transformation products from UDMH/MMH -ozone reaction and their subsequent conversion to NDMA is not well understood. In this work, we explored the formation mechanism of ADMH and TMT from UDMH-ozonation and their further oxidation to NDMA using the second-order Moller Plesset perturbation theory employing the 6-311G(d) basis set. We have also investigated how MMH selectively forms methyl diazene and diazomethane under normal conditions and NDMA in the presence of excess ozone. Our calculations indicate that the reactions proceed via an initial H abstraction from the hydrazine -NH2 group, followed by the oxidation of the generated N-radical species. The formation of ADMH from the UDMH-ozone reaction involves an acetaldehyde intermediate, which then reacts with a second UDMH molecule to generate ADMH. The preferable attack of ozone molecule on N=C bond of ADMH generates DMAN intermediate, which subsequently undergoes oxidation to form NDMA. Unlike other transformation products, TMT formation occurs via the dimerization of DMAN. 1Though there exists an N=N bond in the TMT, which are preferable attacking sites for ozone, experimental studies show the lower yields of NDMA formation, which corroborates with the high activation barrier required for the process (42 kcal/mol). Overall, our calculated results agree well with the experimental observations and rate constants. Computational calculations bring new insights into the electronic nature and kinetics of the elementary reactions of this pathway, enabled by computed energies of structures that are not possible to access experimentally.
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11
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A comprehensive review of sources of nitrosamine contamination of pharmaceutical substances and products. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 139:105355. [PMID: 36792049 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
N-nitrosamines are carcinogenic impurities most commonly found in groundwater, treated water, foods, beverages and consumer products. The recent discovery of N-nitrosamines in pharmaceutical products and subsequent recalls pose a significant health risk to patients. Initial investigation by the regulatory agency identified Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) as a source of contamination. However, N-nitrosamine formation during API synthesis is a consequence of numerous factors like chemistry selection for synthesis, contaminated solvents and water. Furthermore, apart from API, N-nitrosamines have also been found to embed in the final product due to degradation during formulation processing or storage through contaminated excipients and printing inks. The landscape of N-nitrosamine contamination of pharmaceutical products is very complex and needs a comprehensive compilation of sources responsible for N-nitrosamine contamination of pharmaceutical products. Therefore, this review aims to extensively compile all the reported and plausible sources of nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceutical products. The topics like risk assessment and quantitative strategies to estimate nitrosamines in pharmaceutical products are out of the scope of this review.
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12
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Wichitnithad W, Nantaphol S, Noppakhunsomboon K, Thitikornpong W, Rojsitthisak P. Current status and prospects of development of analytical methods for determining nitrosamine and N-nitroso impurities in pharmaceuticals. Talanta 2023; 254:124102. [PMID: 36470020 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.124102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceuticals have recently been concerned for several national regulatory agencies to avoid carcinogenic and mutagenic effects in patients. The demand for highly sensitive and specific analytical methods with LOQs in the ppb and sub-ppb ranges is among the most significant challenges facing analytical scientists. In addition, artifactual nitrosamine formation during sample preparation and injection leading to overestimation of nitrosamines has received considerable attention. Numerous analytical methodologies have been reported for quantifying nitrosamine impurities in active pharmaceutical ingredients and medicinal products at the interim limit criteria as preventive measures. In this review, we meticulously discuss those reported gas and liquid chromatographic methods for nitrosamine determination in pharmaceuticals in aspects of chromatographic conditions and sensitivity of detection. We also introduce the potential of novel fluorescence-based methods recently developed to rapidly screen nitrosamine impurities. In addition, the review assesses the nitrosation assay procedure (NAP test), which is expected to be a future preventive measure for screening potential nitrosation and identifying suspected contamination with N-nitroso or other potential mutagenic impurities during the drug development process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wisut Wichitnithad
- Department of Analytical Development, Pharma Nueva Co., Ltd., Bangkok, 10900, Thailand; Department of Clinical Development, Pharma Nueva Co., Ltd., Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Siriwan Nantaphol
- Department of Clinical Development, Pharma Nueva Co., Ltd., Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | | | - Worathat Thitikornpong
- Department of Food and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Natural Products for Ageing and Chronic Diseases, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Pornchai Rojsitthisak
- Department of Food and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Natural Products for Ageing and Chronic Diseases, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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13
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Tuesuwan B, Vongsutilers V. Current Threat of Nitrosamines in Pharmaceuticals and Scientific Strategies for Risk Mitigation. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:1192-1209. [PMID: 36739905 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The current global situation of nitrosamine contamination has expanded from angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) to wide range of medicines as the risk of contamination via the drug substances, formulation, manufacturing process, and packaging is possible for many drug products. The understanding of chemistry, toxicology, and root causes of nitrosamines are mandatory to effectively evaluate and mitigate the risks associated with the contaminated mutagen. Lessons learnt and scientific findings from previously identified root causes are good examples on how to perform effective risk assessments and establish control strategies. Addressing the risk of nitrosamine contamination in pharmaceuticals requires significant knowledge and considerable resources to collect the necessary information for risk evaluation. Examples of the resources required include a reliable laboratory facility, reference material, highly specific and sensitive instrumentation able handle trace levels of contamination, data management, and the most limited resource - time. Therefore, the supporting tools to assist with risk assessment e.g., shared databases for drug and excipients in concern, screening models for the determination of nitrosamine formation potential, and an in silico model to help with toxicity estimation, have proven to be beneficial to tackle the risk and concern of nitrosamine contamination in pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodin Tuesuwan
- Department of Food and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Vorasit Vongsutilers
- Department of Food and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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14
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De Palma R, Patel V, Florian J, Keire D, Selaya D, Strauss DG, Rouse R, Matta MK. A Bioanalytical Method for Quantification of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in Human Plasma and Urine with Different Meals and following Administration of Ranitidine. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:1315-1323. [PMID: 36736776 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Control of N-nitrosoamine impurities is important for ensuring the safety of drug products. Findings of nitrosamine impurities in some drug products led FDA to develop new guidance providing recommendations for manufacturers towards prevention and detection of nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceutical products. One of these products, ranitidine, also had a published in vivo study, which has since been retracted by its authors, suggesting a potential for in vivo conversion of ranitidine to the probable human carcinogen, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). FDA subsequently initiated a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical investigation to assess the potential for in vivo conversion of ranitidine to NDMA with different meals. A bioanalytical method toward characterization of NDMA formation was needed as previously published methods did not address potential NDMA formation after biofluid collection. Therefore, a bioanalytical method was developed and validated as per FDA's Bioanalytical Method Validation guidance. An appropriate surrogate matrix for calibration standards and quality control sample preparation for both liquid matrices (human plasma and urine) was optimized to minimize the artifacts of assay measurements and monitor basal NDMA levels. Interconversion potential of ranitidine to NDMA was monitored during method validation by incorporating the appropriate quality control samples. The validated methods for NDMA were linear from 15.6 pg/mL to 2000 pg/mL. Low sample volumes (2 mL for urine and 1 mL for plasma) made this method suitable for clinical study samples and helped to evaluate the influence of ranitidine administration and meal types on urinary excretion of NDMA in human subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan De Palma
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Center for Drugs Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, United States
| | - Vikram Patel
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Center for Drugs Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, United States
| | - Jeffry Florian
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Center for Drugs Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, United States
| | - David Keire
- Office of Testing and Research, Center for Drugs Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, United States
| | - Daniela Selaya
- Office of Testing and Research, Center for Drugs Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, United States
| | - David G Strauss
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Center for Drugs Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, United States
| | - Rodney Rouse
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Center for Drugs Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, United States
| | - Murali K Matta
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Center for Drugs Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, United States.
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15
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Horne S, Vera MD, Nagavelli LR, Sayeed VA, Heckman L, Johnson D, Berger D, Yip YY, Krahn CL, Sizukusa LO, Rocha NFM, Bream RN, Ludwig J, Keire DA, Condran G. Regulatory Experiences with Root Causes and Risk Factors for Nitrosamine Impurities in Pharmaceuticals. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:1166-1182. [PMID: 36599405 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
N-Nitrosamines (also referred to as nitrosamines) are a class of substances, many of which are highly potent mutagenic agents which have been classified as probable human carcinogens. Nitrosamine impurities have been a concern within the pharmaceutical industry and by regulatory authorities worldwide since June 2018, when regulators were informed of the presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB) medicine, valsartan. Since that time, regulatory authorities have collaborated to share information and knowledge on issues related to nitrosamines with a goal of promoting convergence on technical issues and reducing and mitigating patient exposure to harmful nitrosamine impurities in human drug products. This paper shares current scientific information from a quality perspective on risk factors and potential root causes for nitrosamine impurities, as well as recommendations for risk mitigation and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew D Vera
- US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Laxma R Nagavelli
- US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Vilayat A Sayeed
- US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Laurel Heckman
- US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Deborah Johnson
- US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Dan Berger
- US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Robert N Bream
- European Medicines Agency (EMA, EU), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joachim Ludwig
- Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (BfArM), Bonn, Germany
| | - David A Keire
- US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
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16
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Development and Validation of an HPLC-FLD Method for the Determination of NDMA and NDEA Nitrosamines in Lisinopril Using Pre-Column Denitrosation and Derivatization Procedure. SEPARATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/separations9110347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to meet the analytical requirements of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), a new HPLC-FLD method was successfully developed using dansyl chloride for the derivatization and determination of the genotoxic impurities N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in Lisinopril API and its final product. Samples’ pretreatment includes liquid–liquid microextraction, denitrosation, and derivatization steps. To optimize the process, the parameters contributing to high sensitivity and yielding reliable results were thoroughly studied and optimized using one-factor-at-a-time and experimental design approaches. The analytes were pre-column derivatized with Dansyl-Cl and analyzed by HPLC-fluorescence (λem/λem = 340/530) using a C18 column and a mixture of phosphate buffer (pH = 2.8; 20 mM)/acetonitrile 55:45 v/v as the mobile phase. The six-level concentration calibration was shown to be linear, with R equal to 0.9995 for both analytes. The limit of detection (LOD) was satisfactory and equal to 4.7 and 0.04 ng/mL for NDMA and NDEA, respectively. Precision was less than 13.4% in all cases, and the average recoveries were equal to 109.2 and 98.1% for NDMA and NDEA, respectively. The proposed procedure is relatively easy, rapid, and suitable for the determination of the two nitrosamines in routine analysis tests.
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17
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Luo F, Liu Y, Xie Y, Hou W, Zhang L, Zhang Z. Simultaneous determination of 13 nitrosamine impurities in biological medicines using salting-out liquid-liquid extraction coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022; 218:114867. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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18
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Chang SH, Ho HY, Chang CC, Zang CZ, Hsu YH, Lin MC, Tseng SH, Wang DY. Evaluation and optimization of a HS-SPME-assisted GC-MS/MS method for monitoring nitrosamine impurities in diverse pharmaceuticals. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022; 221:115003. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.115003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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19
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Keire DA, Bream R, Wollein U, Schmaler-Ripcke J, Burchardt A, Conti M, Zmysłowski A, Keizers P, Morin J, Poh J, George M, Wierer M. International Regulatory Collaboration on the Analysis of Nitrosamines in Metformin-Containing Medicines. AAPS J 2022; 24:56. [PMID: 35449372 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-022-00702-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recalls of some batches of metformin have occurred due to the detection of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in amounts above the acceptable intake (AI) of 96 ng per day. Prior to the recalls, an international regulatory laboratory network had been monitoring drugs for nitrosamine impurities with each laboratory independently developing and validating multiple analytical procedures to detect and measure nitrosamines in metformin drugs used in their jurisdictions. Here, we provide an overview of the analysis of metformin active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and drug products with 1090 samples (875 finished dosage forms (FDFs) and 215 API samples) tested beginning in November of 2019 through July of 2020. Samples were obtained internationally by a variety of approaches, including purchased, received from firms via information requests or selected by regional regulatory authorities (either at wholesalers or during GMP inspections). Only one nitrosamine (NDMA) was detected and was only present in some batches of metformin products. For API samples, 213 out of 215 lots tested had no measurable level of NDMA. For FDF samples tested, the number of batches with NDMA above the AI amount for patient safety was 17.8% (156/875). Based on these data, although the presence of NDMA was of concern, 82.2% of the samples of metformin drug products tested met quality and safety standards for patients. Regulatory agencies continue to collaborate extensively and work with marketing authorization holders to understand root causes of nitrosamine formation and agree on corrective actions to mitigate the presence of NDMA in future metformin batches.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Keire
- Office of Testing and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Food and Drug Administration, 645 S. Newstead Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Robert Bream
- European Medicines Agency, Domenico Scarlattilaan 6, 1083 HS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Uwe Wollein
- Bayerisches Landesamt Für Gesundheit Und Lebensmittelsicherheit, LGL, Veterinärstr. 2, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Jeannette Schmaler-Ripcke
- Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Karlsruhe, CVUA Karlsruhe, Weißenburger Str. 3, 76187, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Annette Burchardt
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Applied Analytics - InphA GmbH, Emil-Sommer-Strasse 7, 28329, Bremen, Germany
| | - Massimiliano Conti
- Schweizerisches Heilmittelinstitut (Biol. & Pharm.), OMCL Swissmedic, Hallerstrasse 7, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Adam Zmysłowski
- National Medicines Institute, NIL, 30/34 Chelmska Street, 00-725, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Peter Keizers
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Justin Morin
- Health Canada, 2301 Midland Avenue, Room 200-59, Toronto, M1P 4R7, Canada
| | - Jalene Poh
- Health Sciences Authority, 11 Outram Road, Bukit Merah, 169078, Singapore
| | - Mark George
- TGA Laboratories, 136 Narrabundah Lane, Symonston, A.C.T, 2606, Australia
| | - Michael Wierer
- European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare, 7 Allée Kastner CS 30026, 67081, Strasbourg, France
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20
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Golob N, Grahek R, Ross M, Roškar R. Nitrocellulose blister material as a source of N-nitrosamine contamination of pharmaceutical drug products. Int J Pharm 2022; 618:121687. [PMID: 35314277 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.121687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The recent focus of pharmaceutical regulatory authorities has been oriented towards the mitigation of carcinogenic N-nitrosamines in drug products and different sources of N-nitrosamines have been revealed. Within this work, the elucidation of a further source of N-nitrosamines in drug products is reported. A case was investigated where traces of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) were detected in a finished dosage form, whereas they were not found in the bulk drug product. This led to an in-depth study of blister material as a potential source, wherein nitrocellulose primer in a lidding foil was identified as a risk factor. Nitrocellulose acts as a nitrosating agent for secondary amines, present in printing inks, forming N-nitrosamines in lidding foil. Their formation was confirmed by the addition of printing ink containing dimethylamine and diethylamine, or diethylamine alone, to lidding foil containing nitrocellulose primer. Their transfer to drug product during the blistering operation was demonstrated by solid-phase microextraction sampling of N-nitrosamine vapors on two commonly used types of pharmaceutical blistering machines, operating with plate sealing or roller sealing technology. Higher vapor amounts were detected on plate sealing equipment, where N-nitrosamine contamination was additionally confirmed in film-coated tablets and blister cavities of the finished dosage form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nejc Golob
- Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d., Sandoz Development Center Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rok Grahek
- Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d., Sandoz Development Center Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Malcolm Ross
- Novartis AG, External Supplies Organization, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Robert Roškar
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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21
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Ruepp R, Frötschl R, Bream R, Filancia M, Girard T, Spinei A, Weise M, Whomsley R. The EU Response to the Presence of Nitrosamine Impurities in Medicines. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:782536. [PMID: 34869504 PMCID: PMC8641785 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.782536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The unexpected detection of nitrosamine impurities in human medicines has recently seen global regulators act to understand the risks of these contaminations to patients and to limit their presence. Over 300 nitrosamines are known, many of which are highly potent mutagenic carcinogens. Regulators first became aware of the presence of nitrosamines in EU medicines in 2018, with reports of detection of N-nitroso-dimethylamine (NDMA) in valsartan from one manufacturer. A subsequent EU review of all valsartan medicines was triggered by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and was later extended to other angiotensin receptor blockers/sartans. A separate review was also started for ranitidine medicines. This was followed by an EU-wide examination of the risk of presence of nitrosamines in all human medicines. This article reflects on the investigation of the EU regulatory network into the presence of nitrosamines and the scientific knowledge informing recommendations for developers on how to limit nitrosamines in medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Ruepp
- European Medicines Agency, Human Medicines Division, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Roland Frötschl
- Licensing Division 2, Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (Bundesinstitiut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte), Bonn, Germany
| | - Robert Bream
- European Medicines Agency, Human Medicines Division, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maria Filancia
- European Medicines Agency, Human Medicines Division, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Thomas Girard
- European Medicines Agency, Human Medicines Division, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Andrei Spinei
- European Medicines Agency, Human Medicines Division, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martina Weise
- Licensing Division 2, Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (Bundesinstitiut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte), Bonn, Germany
| | - Rhys Whomsley
- European Medicines Agency, Human Medicines Division, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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22
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Fritzsche M, Blom G, Keitel J, Goettsche A, Seegel M, Leicht S, Guessregen B, Hickert S, Reifenberg P, Cimelli A, Baranowski R, Desmartin E, Barrau E, Harrison M, Bristow T, O'Neill N, Kirsch A, Krueger P, Saal C, Mouton B, Schlingemann J. NDMA analytics in metformin products: Comparison of methods and pitfalls. Eur J Pharm Sci 2021; 168:106026. [PMID: 34597792 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2021.106026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For nearly three years, the concerns regarding trace levels of N-nitrosamines in pharmaceuticals and the associated cancer risk have significantly expanded and are a major issue facing the global pharmaceutical industry. N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) found in formulations of the popular anti-diabetic drug metformin is a prominent example. This has resulted in product recalls raising the profile within the media. Issues of method robustness, sample preparation and several unexpected sources of nitrosamine contamination have been highlighted as false positive risks. It has become apparent that the identification of the root causes of artefactual formation of nitrosamines must be identified to mitigate risk associated with the analysis. METHODS A comparison study between four laboratories, across three companies was designed, employing orthogonal mass spectrometric methods for the quantification of NDMA in two metformin immediate release (IR) formulations and one extended release (XR) formulation. These were 2x LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS and GC-HRMS. RESULTS Good agreement of results was obtained for the IR formulations. However, we measured higher concentrations of NDMA in the XR formulation using GC-MS/MS compared to LC-MS/MS. We could show that this was due to artefactual (in situ) formation of NDMA when samples were extracted with dichloromethane. Removal of dimethylamine (DMA) and nitrite from the extracted sample or the addition of a nitrosation scavenger are shown to be effective remedies. NDMA in situ formation was not observed in 10% MeOH or acetonitrile. CONCLUSION Metformin pharmaceuticals contain traces of the API impurity DMA as well as inorganic nitrite from excipients. This can lead to artefactual formation of NDMA and hence false positive results if DCM is used for sample extraction. Similar artefacts are likely also in other pharmaceuticals if these contain the secondary amine precursor of the respective nitrosamine analyte.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giorgio Blom
- Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, SK10 2NA, United Kingdom
| | - Judith Keitel
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt 64293, Germany
| | - Anja Goettsche
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt 64293, Germany
| | - Maic Seegel
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt 64293, Germany
| | - Stefan Leicht
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt 64293, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Alexandra Cimelli
- Eurofins-Amatsi Analytics, Parc de Genibrat, Fontenilles 31470, France
| | - Romane Baranowski
- Eurofins-Amatsi Analytics, Parc de Genibrat, Fontenilles 31470, France
| | | | - Elodie Barrau
- Eurofins-Amatsi Analytics, Parc de Genibrat, Fontenilles 31470, France
| | - Mark Harrison
- Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, SK10 2NA, United Kingdom
| | - Tony Bristow
- Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, SK10 2NA, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas O'Neill
- Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, SK10 2NA, United Kingdom
| | - Annette Kirsch
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt 64293, Germany
| | | | - Christoph Saal
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt 64293, Germany
| | - Bruno Mouton
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt 64293, Germany
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23
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Development and Validation of a Method for the Semi-Quantitative Determination of N-Nitrosamines in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Enalapril Maleate by Means of Derivatisation and Detection by HPLC with Fluorimetric Detector. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11167590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A novel HPLC method with fluorimetric detection was developed for the determination of potentially carcinogenic N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in active pharmaceutical ingredient enalapril maleate. N-nitrosamines were subject to denitrosation followed by derivatisation with dansyl chloride or fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride (Fmoc-Cl). Fmoc-Cl offers much better sensitivity and repeatability than dansyl chloride derivatisation. A satisfactory linearity was obtained for the method, with R2 = 0.9994 for NDMA and 0.9990 for NDEA, and a limit of quantification level of 0.038 μg/g for NDMA and 0.050 μg/g for NDEA. The precision decreased with the concentration to a maximum level of about 10%. The recoveries were in the range of 74.2 ± 4.2% to 101.6 ± 16.1% for NDMA and 90.6 ± 2.9% to 125.4 ± 7.4% for NDEA. Dansyl chloride was found to be an inappropriate derivatisation agent, mainly due to potential contamination with dimethylamine, leading to unrepeatable peaks in the blank solution. Since the method involves the derivatisation of amines liberated from the N-nitrosamines, it was necessary to remove the amines from the test sample. Several critical points in the standard/sample preparation have been mentioned, which affect the reproducibility of the method and are not covered in similar articles.
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Khorolskiy M, Ramenskaya G, Vlasov A, Perederyaev O, Maslennikova N. Development and Validation of four Nitrosamine Impurities Determination Method in Medicines of Valsartan, Losartan, and Irbesartan with HPLC-MS/MS (APCI). IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH : IJPR 2021; 20:541-552. [PMID: 34904007 PMCID: PMC8653666 DOI: 10.22037/ijpr.2021.115102.15195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Since 2018, regulation and control of genotoxic nitrosamine impurities levels have been a mandatory quality and safety characteristic for various drugs. The main issue of nitrosamine determination in drugs is a low sensitivity of the existing methods and a continuously extending list of controlled compounds. The reason is the low safe daily dose of these impurities and chromophores' absence within their structure. Development and validation of a method for nitrosamine impurities (regulated by the regulatory authorities) determination in Valsartan, Losartan, and Irbesartan using high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection. An Agilent Infinity II chromatographic system with a mass spectrometric detector (MSD 6460 Triple Quad) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization was used in this study. During the development of a method, the optimal conditions for chromatographic separation (composition of mobile phases, gradient parameters) were selected, as well as the parameters of mass spectrometric detection were optimized. The usage of chemical ionization made it possible to achieve the method's maximum sensitivity concerning the studied nitrosamines, and the optimized parameters of mass spectrometric detection made it possible to get rid of the matrix effect. The absence of additional stages of purification and concentration can significantly reduce the total time of the analysis, which is a significant advantage of nitrosamine's advanced determination method. The resulting method was validated for specificity, linearity, LOQ, LOD, accuracy, and precision. Resulting method met all acceptance criteria and can be used for routine quality control of Valsartan, Losartan, and Irbesartan pharmaceutical substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Khorolskiy
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Russia. ,Corresponding author: E-mail:
| | - Galina Ramenskaya
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Russia.
| | - Alexander Vlasov
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Russia.
| | - Oleg Perederyaev
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Russia.
| | - Nataliya Maslennikova
- Federal State Budgetary Institution Scientific Centre for Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products, Russia.
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