Two green and sensitive spectrofluorimetric approaches for determination of Ambroxol and guaifenesin in their single and combined pharmaceutical formulations

Ambroxol hydrochloride (AMX) and guaifenesin (GFN) are approved drugs utilized to treat coughs through their potent mucolytic and expectorant properties. Due to their massive, combined administration in many illnesses, there is a persistent need for their concurrent estimation in different pharmaceutical formulations. Two sensitive, environmentally friendly spectrofluorimetric methods were developed. AMX was determined using the first method (I) without interference from GFN. This method depends on the quenching of Erythrosine B (EB) native fluorescence at 552 nm after excitation at 527 nm due to the formation of a non-fluorescent AMX-EB ion-pair complex in Britton-Robinson buffer (BRB) solution pH (3.5). The concentration plot is linear over the 0.25-5.0 μg/mL range, with a mean percent found value of 99.74%. Method (II) depends on measuring the native fluorescence of aqueous GFN solution at two analytical wavelengths, either 300 or 600 nm, after excitation at 274 nm. Relative fluorescence intensity (RFI)-concentration plots are linear over the ranges of 0.02-0.5 and 0.1-2.0 μg/ml, with mean percent found at 99.96% and 99.91% at dual wavelengths, respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied to assay both drugs in raw materials and different single and combined pharmaceutical formulations. These methods have been thoroughly validated following International Committee on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines. National Environmental Methods Index, Analytical Eco-Scale, and Green Analytical Procedure Index were used to prove greenness, thereby enhancing their applicability. The proposed techniques provide straightforward, precise, and cost-effective solutions for routine formulation analysis in quality control laboratories.

Bilinear and trilinear algorithms utilizing full and selected variables for resolution and quantitation of four components with overlapped spectral signals in bulk and syrup dosage form

Spectrophotometric-assisted chemometric techniques are beneficial for resolving spectral overlapping and are considered comparable to traditional chromatographic methods. In this work, different chemometric approaches were applied for simultaneous determination of Bromhexine HCl (BRHX), Guaifenesin (GUA) and Salbutamol sulphate (SALB) in the presence of Guaiacol (GUAIA), without any prior separation. Two-way and three-way techniques were applied. The resolving power of genetic algorithm (GA-PLS), trilinear partial least square (N-PLS) and multivariate curve resolution (MCR-ALS) were investigated. A set of 17 synthetic samples in the concentration range 10.0-30.0 μg/mL of BRHX, GUA and SALB and 6.0-10.0 μg/mL of GUAIA were used in the construction of the calibration models. Commercially available syrup dosage form was successfully analyzed by the developed methods without interference from formulation additives. The developed models were evaluated through calculation of root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP), the obtained values were 0.263, 0.419 and 0.342 for BRHX, 0.254, 0.318 and 0.503 for GUA and 0.298, 0.268 and 0.302 for SALB using N-PLS, MCR-ALS and GA-PLS, respectively. The resolving power of the developed models was emphasized through comparison with a reported HPLC method, where no significant difference was found regarding both accuracy and precision.

Eco-Friendly Pharmaceutical Analysis of Multicomponent Drugs Coformulated in Different Dosage Forms Using Multivariate Curve Resolution and Partial Least Squares: A Comparative Study

Background: Considering the environmental impact of analytical procedures necessitates replacing the polluting analytical methods with green alternatives. Objective: This study aims to develop and validate a multivariate curve resolution-alternating least-squares (MCR-ALS) method with correlation constraint for the simultaneous determination of theophylline, ambroxol, and guaifenesin as target analytes in the presence of methylparaben and propylparaben as interfering components. In addition, a partial least-squares regression (PLSR) method was also developed and optimized. Method: The developed methods were validated according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines and successfully applied for the quantification of the target analytes in different pharmaceutical dosage forms. Results: Figures of merit such as root mean square error of prediction, bias, standard error of prediction, and relative error of prediction for both models were calculated, and they showed similar and satisfactory results. Correlation coefficients ranged between 0.9988 and 0.9992, reflecting high predictive ability. The optimized methods were compared with a reported HPLC method using one-way analysis of variance and showed no significant difference regarding accuracy and precision. Conclusions: The proposed chemometrics methods can be used as an eco-friendly alternative for chromatographic techniques for the quality control analysis of the studied mixture in different pharmaceutical dosage forms. Highlights: An MCR-ALS model was developed. The developed model was compared with a PLSR model. Both models were validated and successfully used for the determination of a multicomponent pharmaceutical mixture. The developed method is eco-friendly, fast, reliable, and cost-effective.

Chemometrics resolution and quantification power evaluation: Application on pharmaceutical quaternary mixture of Paracetamol, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine and p-aminophenol

Three advanced chemmometric-assisted spectrophotometric methods namely; Concentration Residuals Augmented Classical Least Squares (CRACLS), Multivariate Curve Resolution-Alternating Least Squares (MCR-ALS) and Principal Component Analysis-Artificial Neural Networks (PCA-ANN) were developed, validated and benchmarked to PLS calibration; to resolve the severely overlapped spectra and simultaneously determine; Paracetamol (PAR), Guaifenesin (GUA) and Phenylephrine (PHE) in their ternary mixture and in presence of p-aminophenol (AP) the main degradation product and synthesis impurity of Paracetamol. The analytical performance of the proposed methods was described by percentage recoveries, root mean square error of calibration and standard error of prediction. The four multivariate calibration methods could be directly used without any preliminary separation step and successfully applied for pharmaceutical formulation analysis, showing no excipients' interference.

Determining the suitability of mass spectrometry for understanding the dissolution processes involved with pharmaceutical tablets

RATIONALE

A current challenge for analytical chemists is the development of the measurement systems and approaches required to understand dynamic processes such as tablet dissolution. The design and development of oral tablets could be improved by the availability of detailed information about the rates of release of the individual tablet components. Small footprint mass spectrometry (MS) systems are gaining use for on-line reaction monitoring because of their ability to rapidly determine multiple reactant, intermediate, and product species. We have therefore assessed the utility of such MS systems to the study of dissolution processes.

METHODS

Aqueous dissolution media containing phosphate and other non-volatile buffer salts were pumped from a standard USPII dissolution vessel through an active splitter and back. The splitter sampled the dissolution stream and diluted it into a make-up flow which was pumped to a small single quadrupole mass spectrometer. Single ion monitoring was used to quantify the ions of interest. Three different bio-relevant dissolution media were studied to gauge the effect of the sample matrix.

RESULTS

Individual dissolution profiles were obtained from a tablet containing three drugs, and lactose as the soluble filler. This was successfully demonstrated with three different bio-relevant media designed to reflect the pH of the different sections of the human gastro-intestinal tract. Component concentrations as low as 0.06 µg/mL (representing 1% dissolution) were detected. The MS dissolution profiles correlated with the visual observation of tablet dissolution. MS gave linear responses with concentration for the individual components, although analysis of the tablet solution indicated that ion suppression is an area for further investigation.

CONCLUSIONS

An on-line MS system was used to determine the individual dissolution profiles of three drugs and lactose as they were released from the same tablet. The level of each of these components in solution was determined every 10 seconds, and each had a similar release profile. The dissolution profiles were determined using inorganic buffer solutions at three different bio-relevant pHs.

[Rapid identification 15 effective components of anti common cold medicine with MRM by LC-MS/MS]

This paper reports the establishment of a method for rapid identification 15 effective components of anti common cold medicine (paracetamol, aminophenazone, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, methylephedrine hydrochloride, caffeine, amantadine hydrochloride, phenazone, guaifenesin, chlorphenamine maleate, dextromethorphen hydrobromide, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, promethazine hydrochloride, propyphenazone, benorilate and diclofenac sodium) with MRM by LC-MS/MS. The samples were extracted by methanol and were separated from a Altantis T3 column within 15 min with a gradient of acetonitrile-ammonium acetate (containing 0.25% glacial acetic acid), a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source (ESI) was used in positive ion mode, and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was performed for qualitative analysis of these compounds. The minimum detectable quantity were 0.33-2.5 microg x kg(-1) of the 15 compounds. The method is simple, accurate and with good reproducibility for rapid identification many components in the same chromatographic condition, and provides a reference for qualitative analysis illegally added chemicals in anti common cold medicine.

Simultaneous determination of phenylephrine hydrochloride, guaifenesin, and chlorpheniramine maleate in cough syrup by gradient liquid chromatography

A simple and reliable high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of mixture of phenylephrine hydrochloride (PHENYL), guaifenesin (GUAIF), and chlorpheniramine maleate (CHLO) either in pure form or in the presence of methylparaben and propylparaben in a commercial cough syrup dosage form. Separation was achieved on a C8 column using 0.005 M heptane sulfonic acid sodium salt (pH 3.4 +/- 0.1) and acetonitrile as a mobile phase by gradient elution at different flow rates, and detection was done spectrophotometrically at 210 nm. A linear relationship in the range of 30-180, 120-1800, and 10-60 microg/mL was obtained for PHENYL, GUAIF, and CHLO, respectively. The results were statistically analyzed and compared with those obtained by applying the British Pharmacopoeia (2002) method and showed that the proposed method is precise, accurate, and can be easily applied for the determination of the drugs under investigation in pure form and in cough syrup formulations.

New validated liquid chromatographic and chemometrics-assisted UV spectroscopic methods for the determination of two multicomponent cough mixtures in syrup

Multivariate spectrophotometric calibration and liquid chromatographic (LC) methods were applied to the determination of 2 multicomponent mixtures containing diprophylline, guaiphenesin, methylparaben, and propylparaben (Mixture 1), or clobutinol, orciprenaline, saccharin sodium, and sodium benzoate (Mixture 2). For the multivariate spectrophotometric calibration methods, principal component regression (PCR) and partial least-squares regression (PLS-1), a calibration set of the mixtures consisting of the components of each mixture was prepared in 0.1 M HCl. Analytical figures of merit such as sensitivity, selectivity, limit of quantitation, and limit of detection were determined for both PLS-1 and PCR. The LC separation was achieved on a reversed-phase C18 analytical column by using isocratic elution with 20 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate, pH 3.3-acetonitrile (55 + 45, v/v) as the mobile phase and UV detection at 260 and 220 nm for Mixture 1 and Mixture 2, respectively. The proposed methods were validated and successfully applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical formulations and laboratory-prepared mixtures containing the 2 multicomponent combinations.

Development and validation of chemometrics-assisted spectrophotometric and liquid chromatographic methods for the simultaneous determination of two multicomponent mixtures containing bronchodilator drugs

Three methods are developed for the determination of two multicomponent mixtures containing guaiphenesine (GU) with salbutamol sulfate (SL), methylparaben (MP) and propylparaben (PP) [mixture 1]; and acephylline piperazine (AC) with bromhexine hydrochloride (BX), methylparaben (MP) and propylparaben (PP) [mixture 2]. The resolution of the two multicomponent mixtures has been accomplished by using numerical spectrophotometric methods such as partial least squares (PLS-1) and principal component regression (PCR) applied to UV absorption spectra of the two mixtures. In addition HPLC method was developed using a RP 18 column at ambient temperature with mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.05 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate, pH 4.3 (60:40, v/v), with UV detection at 243 nm for mixture 1, and mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.05 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate, pH 3 (50:50, v/v), with UV detection at 245 nm for mixture 2. The methods were validated in terms of accuracy, specificity, precision and linearity in the range of 20-60 microg ml(-1) for GU, 1-3 microg ml(-1) for SL, 20-80 microg ml(-1) for AC, 0.2-1.8 microgml(-1) for PP and 1-5 microg ml(-1) for BX and MP. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of the two multicomponent combinations in laboratory prepared mixtures and commercial syrups.

Simultaneous, stability indicating, HPLC-DAD determination of guaifenesin and methyl and propyl-parabens in cough syrup

A stability indicating high performance liquid chromatography procedure has been developed for the simultaneous determination of guaifenesin (GUA), methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (MHB) and propyl p-hydroxybenzoate (PHB) in a commercial cough syrup dosage form. The method was specific and stability indicating as chromatographic conditions were selected to provide adequate separation of GUA, MHB and PHB from the putative degradation products guaiacol (GUAI) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) as well as from excipients. The isocratic separation and quantitation were achieved within 17 min on a 150-mm column with an ether-linked phenyl stationary phase and a hydrophilic endcapping. The mobile phase was constituted of eluant A: aqueous phosphate buffer (pH 3.0, 10 mM)/acetonitrile 25/75 (v/v) and eluant B:methanol; the A:B ratio was 85:15 (v/v) with a flow rate 1 ml min-1 and detection of analytes at 254 and 276 nm. The method showed good linearity for the GUA-MHB-PHB mixture in the 95-285, 4-12, and 1-3 microg ml-1 ranges, respectively, being all the square of the correlation coefficients greater than 0.999. The interday R.S.D.s were 1.17, 1.14, and 0.91%, for GUA, MHB, and PHP, respectively. The method demonstrated also to be accurate; indeed the average recoveries, at 100% of the target assay concentration, were 100.5, 100.3, and 100.7% with relative standard deviations of 0.8, 0.7, and 0.4% for GUA, MHB, and PHB, respectively, from laboratory prepared samples. The applicability of the method was evaluated in commercial dosage form analysis as well as in stability studies.

Application and validation of chemometrics-assisted spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography for the simultaneous determination of six-component pharmaceuticals

Three methods are developed for the simultaneous determination of theophylline anhydrous (TH), guaiphenesin (GP), diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DP), methylparaben (MP), propylparaben (PP) and sodium benzoate (BZ) in pharmaceutical syrup. The chromatographic method depends on a high performance liquid chromatographic separation on a reversed-phase C(18) column at ambient temperature with mobile phase consisting of 25 mM KH2PO4, pH 3.2-acetonitrile (60:40, v/v). Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 222 nm based on peak area. The other two chemometric methods applied were partial least squares (PLS-1) and principal component regression (PCR). These approaches were successfully applied to quantify the six components in the studied mixture using information included in the UV absorption spectra of appropriate solutions in the wavelength range of 220-270 nm with Deltalambda=0.4 nm. The calibration PLS-1 and PCR models were evaluated by internal validation (prediction of compounds in its own designed training set of calibration), by cross-validation (obtaining statistical parameters that show the efficiency for a calibration fit model) and by external validation over synthetic and pharmaceutical preparation. The results of PLS-1 and PCR methods were compared with the HPLC method and a good agreement was found.

Simultaneous determination of some active ingredients in cough and cold preparations by gas chromatography, and method validation

A simple and rapid gas chromatographic (GC) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of combinations of acetaminophen, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, caffeine, chlorpheniramine maleate, and dextromethorphan hydrobromide in cough and cold tablets and syrups. After extraction of the analyte with alkaline ethyl acetate, 2 microL extract was injected (splitting ratio of 50:1) into a gas chromatograph equipped with a CBP1-M25-025 fused silica capillary column (25 m x 0.22 mm; film thickness, 0.25 microm). The column temperature was held at 150 degrees C for 5 min, increased to 175 degrees C at 3 degrees C/min, and increased to 270 degreesC at 10 degrees C/min. The temperatures of the flame ionization detector and injector were maintained at 300 degrees C. The GC method is inexpensive, rapid, accurate, and precise, and thus it can be used for routine analysis of tablet and syrup preparations in quality control laboratories of pharmaceutical companies.

Voltammetric assay of Guaifenesin in pharmaceutical formulation

The electrochemical oxidation of Guaifenesin in a pharmaceutical formulation containing Guaifenesin has been carried out in Britton-Robinson buffer (BRB) (0.04 mol L-1) on platinum electrode. Guaifenesin exhibits a well-defined irreversible oxidation peak at 0.924 V/ref. The influence of pH on the oxidation of Guaifenesin was studied in BRB (pH range 2-5). A method for the analysis of Guaifenesin in BRB (0.04 mol L-1, pH 2), which allows quantification over the range 20-60 microg mL-1, was proposed and successfully applied to the determination of Guaifenesin in syrup with mean recovery and relative standard deviation of 103.3% and 1.32%, respectively.

Sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol and guaifenesin in human plasma

A rapid and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol and guaifenesin in human plasma was developed and validated, using high-performance liquid chromatographic separation with tandem mass spectrometric detection. After extracted from plasma samples by diethyl ether-dichloromethane (3:2, v/v), the analytes and internal standard osalmide were chromatographed on a C18 column. Detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode via atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). The method was linear in the concentration range of 0.05-20.0 microg/ml for paracetamol and 5.0-2000.0 ng/ml for guaifenesin. The intra- and inter-day precision was within 14% for both paracetamol and guaifenesin. The assay accuracy was within +/-2.4% for the analytes. This is the first assay method described for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol and guaifenesin in plasma using one chromatographic run. The method was successfully employed in a pharmacokinetic study after an oral administration of a multicomponent formulation, containing 650 mg paracetamol, 200 mg guaifenesin, 60 mg pseudoephedrine and 20 mg dextrorphan.

On-line solid phase extraction using the Prospekt-2 coupled with a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometer for the determination of dextromethorphan, dextrorphan and guaifenesin in human plasma

An on-line liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) procedure, using the Prospekt- 2 system, was developed and used for the determination of the levels of the active ingredients of cough/cold medications in human plasma matrix. The experimental configuration allows direct plasma injection by performing on- line solid phase extraction (SPE) on small cartridge columns prior to elution of the analyte(s) onto the analytical column and subsequent MS/MS detection. The quantitative analysis of three analytes with differing polarities, dextromethorphan (DEX), dextrorphan (DET) and guaifenesin (GG) in human plasma presented a significant challenge. Using stable-isotope-labeled internal standards for each analyte, the Prospekt-2 on-line methodology was evaluated for sensitivity, suppression, accuracy, precision, linearity, analyst time, analysis time, cost, carryover and ease of use. The lower limit of quantitation for the on-line SPE procedure for DEX, DET and GG was 0.05, 0.05 and 5.0 ng mL(-1), respectively, using a 0.1 mL sample volume. The linear range for DEX and DET was 0.05-50 ng mL(-1) and was 5-5,000 ng mL(-1) for GG. Accuracy and precision data for five different levels of QC samples were collected over three separate days. Accuracy ranged from 90% to 112% for all three analytes, while the precision, as measured by the %RSD, ranged from 1.5% to 16.0%

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of dextromethorphan, guaifenesin and benzoate in a cough syrup for stability testing

A method has been developed for the analysis of a cough syrup containing dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, benzoic acid, saccharin and other components. Forced degradation was also studied to demonstrate that the method could be employed during a stability study of the syrup. Final conditions were phosphate buffer (25 mM, pH 2.8) with triethylamine (TEA)-acetonitrile (75:25, v/v). In such conditions, all the actives, excipients and degradation products were baseline resolved in less than 14 min, and different wavelengths were used for the different analytes and related compounds.

Determination of guaifenesin in human serum by capillary gas chromatography and electron capture detection

A method for the quantitation of guaifenesin in human serum has been developed and validated. The procedure involves liquid-liquid extraction of the serum sample in the presence of mephenesin as an internal standard, followed by derivatization and analysis using capillary gas chromatography (GC) and electron capture detection (ECD). Different solvents were tested for extraction of guaifenesin from serum. n-Hexane/dichloromethane (1:1, v/v) gave the highest recovery and the lowest background and was chosen as the extraction solvent. After extraction, the residue of guaifenesin was derivatized at 60 degrees C for 30 min, with trifluoroacetic acid anhydride (TFAA) in toluene in the presence of pyridine. Excess trifluoroacetic acid anhydride was removed using dilute solution of ammonium hydroxide. The method proved to be linear over the range of 25.0-1000 ng/ml. Recovery of guaifenesin from spiked samples was consistent, averaging 75.5% at 50.0 ng/ml with a range of 72.0-80.0% (N = 8 determinations) and averaging 78% at 800 ng/ml with a range of 76.0-81.0% (N = 8 determinations). The internal standard recovery was also consistent averaging 72.8% with a range of 67.0-76.0% (N = 16 determinations).

Bilateral guaifenesin ureteral calculi

We report on a patient with bilateral ureteral calculi composed of guaifenesin metabolite as determined by infrared spectroscopy. These stones may be associated with excessive guaifenesin intake related to the current popularity of ephedrine preparations.

Resolution of ephedrine stones with dissolution therapy

A patient with a history of ingesting large quantities of an over-the-counter stimulant developed renal calculi that on further analysis, after stone passage, revealed increased amounts of ephedrine. Over the course of 7 months, all of the patient's ephedrine stones were managed successfully by alkalinization. Similar to previously reported ephedrine calculi, these stones were radiolucent on x-ray imaging, but their course was monitored on serial nonenhanced computed tomography scans. We believe this to be the first reported use of alkaline therapy for the dissolution of renal stones containing ephedrine.

Guaiacylglycerol-7'-O-methyl 8'-vanillic acid ether and related compounds from Boreava orientalis

The threo and erythro forms of guaiacylglycerol-7'-O-methyl 8'-vanillic acid ethers, threo and erythro guaiacylglycerol 8'-vanillin ethers, and threo guaiacylglycerol 8'-(4-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxyphenyl) ether have been isolated from fruits of Boreava orientalis. Structural determinations were made on the basis of UV, MS, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectral data, including two-dimensional shift correlation. The relative configurations were assigned on the basis of 1H-NMR chemical shifts.

[Research into simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of components in cough syrup by principal component regression method]

Principal component regression (PCR) method is used to analyse five components: acetaminophen, p-aminophenol, caffeine, chlorphenamine maleate and guaifenesin. The basic principle and the analytical step of the approach are described in detail. The computer program of LHG is based on VB language. The experimental result shows that the PCR method has no systematical error as compared to classical method. The experimental result shows that the average recovery of each component is all in the range from 96.43% to 107.14%. Each component obtains satisfactory result without any pre-separation. The approach is simple, rapid and suitable for the computer-aid analysis.

Simultaneous estimation of phenylpropanolamine HCl, guaiphenesin and diphenylpyraline HCl in syrups by LC

A simple, precise and accurate HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous estimation of phenyl-propanolamine HCl, guaiphenesin and diphenylpyraline HCl in syrup. The method was carried out on a Shimpak C8 column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-triethylamine (pH adjusted to 3.5 using orthophosphoric acid; 0.5%), (35:65, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.2 ml min(-1). Detection was carried out at 210 nm. Diphenhydramine was used as internal standard. The validation of the method was also carried out.

HPLC determination of guaifenesin with selected medications on underivatized silica with an aqueous-organic mobile phase

A high performance liquid chromatography procedure has been developed for the simultaneous determination of guaifenesin pseudoephedrine-dextromethorphan and guaifenesin-pseudoephedrine in commercially available capsule dosage forms and guaifenesin-codeine in a commercial cough syrup dosage form. The separation and quantitation are achieved on a 25-cm underivatized silica column using a mobile phase of 60:40%) v/v 6.25 mM phosphate buffer, pH 3.0 - acetonitrile at a flow rate of 1 ml min(-1) with detection of all analytes at 216 nm. The separation is achieved within 10 min for each drug mixture. The method showed linearity for the guaifenesin-pseudoephedrine-dextromethorphan mixture in the 50-200, 7.5-30 and 2.5-10, microg ml(-1) ranges, respectively. The intra- and inter-day RSDs ranged from 0.23 to 4.20%, 0.18 to 2.85%, and 0.13 to 5.04% for guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine, and dextromethorphan, respectively. The guaifenesin pseudoephedrine mixture yielded linear ranges of 25-100 and 3.75-15 microg ml(-1) and intra- and inter-day RSDs ranged from 0.65 to 4.18% and 0.23 to 3.00% for guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine, respectively. The method showed linearity for the guaifenesin-codeine mixture in the 25-100 and 2.5-10 microg ml(-1) ranges and RSDs ranged from 0.37 to 4.25% and 0.14 to 2.08% for guaifenesin and codeine, respectively.

Guaifenesin- and ephedrine-induced stones

PURPOSE

We report a new type of drug-induced stone that is caused by overconsumption of preparations containing guaifenesin and ephedrine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical and stone analysis data from the Molecular Structure Laboratory at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, were reviewed. Stone analysis was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution X-ray crystallographic powder diffraction, or both. The urine and stone material from one of the subjects were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Stone analysis from seven patients demonstrated metabolites of guaifenesin. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed that the stone and urine from one subject had a high content of guaifenesin metabolites and a small amount of ephedrine. Demographic data were available on five patients. Three had a history of alcohol or drug dependency. All were consuming over-the-counter preparations containing ephedrine and guaifenesin. Four admitted to taking excessive quantities of these agents, mainly as a stimulant. Hypocitraturia was identified in two individuals subjected to urinary metabolic testing. These stones are radiolucent on standard X-ray imaging but can be demonstrated on unenhanced CT. Shockwave lithotripsy was performed in two patients, and the calculi fragmented easily.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals consuming large quantities of preparations containing ephedrine and guaifenesin may be at risk to develop stones derived mainly from metabolites of guaifenesin and small quantities of ephedrine. These patients may be prone to drug or alcohol dependency.

Abuse of guaifenesin-containing medications generates an excess of a carboxylate salt of beta-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-lactic acid, a guaifenesin metabolite, and results in urolithiasis

OBJECTIVES

Several urinary calculi were submitted to our institution for compositional analysis. The typical techniques of analysis, polarized light microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, and infrared spectroscopy proved inadequate for a definitive identification. As a result, a more detailed organic analysis was conducted to determine the exact chemical structure of the material.

METHODS

Infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometric analysis were carried out on the solid material, providing information concerning the functional groups and the molecular mass of the organic constituent and its components. The stone was solubilized in deuterated solvents and analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which resulted in a definitive chemical structure.

RESULTS

The spectroscopic analysis indicated that the stones were composed of a calcium salt of beta-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-lactic acid, a metabolite of the pharmaceutical guaifenesin, which is used as an expectorant.

CONCLUSIONS

Guaifenesin, an expectorant common in over-the-counter cold and allergy remedies, can cause urolithiasis if taken in excess. Discussions with physicians and their patients confirmed that most patients admitted to taking large doses of guaifenesin-containing medications.

Simultaneous determination of dextrorphan and guaifenesin in human plasma by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A sensitive liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of dextrorphan and guaifenesin in human plasma using fluorescence detection. Dextrorphan and guaifenesin were extracted from plasma by a liquid-liquid extraction procedure using chloroform containing laudanosine as the internal standard. A cyano column (15 cm x 46 mm i.d., Spherisorb 5-CN) and a mobile phase containing acetonitrile-triethylamine-distilled water (10:1:89, v/v/v) (pH 6) were used. The concentration-response relationship for dextrorphan was found to be linear over a concentration range of 23-515 ng ml-1 with a lower limit of detection of 20 ng ml-1; the accuracy of the method would fall (95% confidence limit) within 9.53% and 11.07% of the true value for the inter-and intra-day, respectively; the inter- and intra-day precision, as measured by RSD, ranged from 1.88% to 30.07% (mean 2.28%) and from 4.69% to 7.51% (mean 5.67%) over the dynamic concentration range of the method (33-326 ng ml-1). The concentration-response relationship for guaifenesin was found to be linear over a concentration range of 181-8136 ng ml-1 with a lower detection limit of 30 ng ml-1; the accuracy of the method would fall (95% confidence limit) within 9.78% and 8.04% of the true value for the inter- and intra-day, respectively; the inter- and intra-day precision, as measured by the RSD, ranged from 2.55 to 6.07% (mean 3.90%) and from 3.12 to 3.90% (mean 3.52%) over the dynamic concentration range of the method (435-6430 ng ml-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Determination of guaiphenesin in anti-tussive pharmaceutical preparations containing dextromethorphan by first- and second-derivative ultraviolet spectrophotometry

Rapid, simple and direct assay procedures based on selective first (D1)- and second (D2)-derivative spectrophotometry, using a zero-crossing technique of measurement at 279.2 and 280.0 nm, respectively, have been developed for the specific determination of guaiphenesin in the presence of dextromethorphan, drugs with closely overlapping absorption spectra, in synthetic admixtures and in pharmaceutical dosage forms (tablets and syrups). The methods do not require extraction with organic solvents and are easier to perform than their conventional counterparts. Calibration graphs were linear (r = 0.99999 for D1 and 0.99969 for D2, respectively). Good selectivity, accuracy and precision were found. However, the performance of the analysis of guaiphenesin by the second-derivative mode deteriorated when the ratio of dextromethorphan to guaiphenesin was greater than one. Thus, the first-derivative spectrophotometry is the method of choice for the assay of tablets and syrups containing the two drugs.

Determination of guaifenesin in human plasma by liquid chromatography in the presence of pseudoephedrine

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography (LC) procedure was developed and validated for the determination of guaifenesin in human plasma in the presence of pseudoephedrine. Guaifenesin was extracted from plasma at pH 6.9-7.1 using methanol-methylene chloride (5:95, v/v) containing the internal standard mephenesin and pseudoephedrine. The organic layer was separated and evaporated to dryness and the residue reconstituted with the mobile phase containing methanol-acetonitrile-phosphate buffer (0.05 M) (11:11:78, v/v/v) containing 4 mM heptane sulphonic acid and 1% glacial acetic acid. The separation was performed on a mu Bondapak C18 column. The flow rate was 1.0 ml min-1. The retention times for guaifenesin and mephenesin were 7.9 and 15.7 min, respectively. Linearity of response was observed in the concentration ranges of 50-1000 ng ml-1 and 1-4 micrograms ml-1. Accuracy was within 15.4% of the true value for the inter-day and intra-day analysis. The precision, as measured by the RSD, ranged from 4.8 to 8.7% for intra-day. The reproducibility of inter-day ranged from 5.0 to 8.4%. The per cent recovery from plasma ranged from 88.6 to 97.6. Data are presented to illustrate the practicality of the method for the evaluation of guaifenesin plasma levels in the presence of pseudoephedrine after multiple oral administration of two sustained release tablets containing 600 mg of guaifenesin per tablet to six male healthy volunteers. The mean half-life of guaifenesin in human subjects was found to be 2.88 h and ranged from 1.36 to 5.25 h.

Simultaneous determination of theophylline and guaiphenesin by third-derivative ultraviolet spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography

Two methods are described for the simultaneous determination of theophylline and guaiphenesin in combined pharmaceutical dosage forms. The first method depends on third-derivative ultraviolet spectrophotometry, with the zero crossing technique of measurement. Third-derivative amplitudes at 222 and 278 nm were selected for the assay of guaiphenesin and theophylline, respectively. The second method is based on high-performance liquid chromatography on a reversed-phase column using a mobile phase of 0.01 mol dm-3 sodium dihydrogen phosphate-methanol-acetonitrile (8 + 2 + 1) (pH 5.5) with detection at 245 nm. Both methods showed good linearity, precision and reproducibility. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of these drugs in laboratory-prepared mixtures and in capsules or elixir.

[Densitometric determination of propyphenazone, paracetamol, guaiacol glycerol ether, caffeine and acetylsalicylic acid in analgesic-antipyretic preparations with thin-layer chromatography]

Optimum conditions for a simultaneous determination of propyphenazone, paracetamol, guaiacol glycerol ether, caffeine and acetylsalicylic acid were described for preparations with analgesic-antipyretic activity, which don't allow a direct determination of the active principle because of interference phenomena. Using an external standard for calibration the determination was carried out by adsorption measurement (reflectance detection) in situ. Beside the determination of the drug content the method can be used to identify substances according to their RT and RF-values as well as by on-plate spectra taken.

High-pressure liquid chromatographic assay of dextromethorphan hydrobromide, guaifenesin, and sodium benzoate in an expectorant syrup

An ion-pair reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay is developed that allows simultaneous quantitation of guaifenesin, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, and sodium benzoate in an expectorant syrup. The method is rapid and accurate. Average recoveries of 99.6, 99.8, and 99.7% with relative standard deviations of 0.5, 0.9, and 0.2% are obtained for guaifenesin, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, and sodium benzoate, respectively, from laboratory prepared samples. Chromatographic conditions are selected to afford a pH that provides adequate separation of guaifenesin, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, sodium benzoate, and sodium saccharin and a detection wavelength that effectively compensates for the great disparity in quantity between guaifenesin and dextromethorphan hydrobromide present in syrups. The relationships between the retention volume of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and the alkyl chain length as well as the concentration of the counterion are studied. The retention profiles for sodium saccharin, guaifenesin, sodium benzoate, and dextromethorphan hydrobromide in the apparent pH range of 2.5 to 6.6 are established.

Determination of the structure of a synthetic impurity in guaifenesin: modification of a high-performance liquid chromatographic method for phenylephrine hydrochloride, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, guaifenesin, and sodium benzoate in dosage forms

An impurity present in all commercial guaifenesin-containing dosage forms examined was isolated and identified as 2-(2-methoxyphenoxy) 1,3-propanediol (VI). The eluant of a previously developed stability-indicating liquid chromatographic method for phenylephrine hydrochloride (I), phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (II), and guaifenesin (III) was modified to yield a better separation between phenylpropanolamine and the impurity. The method was expanded to include sodium benzoate (IV), a preservative found in some liquid formulations.

Simultaneous determination of acetaminophen, guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine, pholcodine, and paraben preservatives in cough mixture by high-performance liquid chromatography

The separation and simultaneous determination, by high-performance liquid chromatography, of acetaminophen (I), guaifenesin (II), pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (III), and pholcodine (IV), together with a series of parabens (methyl to butyl, V-VIII) in a cough mixture, has been demonstrated using a chemically bonded octadecylsilane stationary phase with a mobile phase of methanol-water-acetic acid (45:55:2) containing the ion-pairing agent octanesulfonic acid. Retention volumes for the active ingredients were 3.8 ml, 5.4 ml, 9.4 ml, and 15.6 ml for compounds I-IV, respectively. Corrected retention volumes for the parabens [5.4 ml for methyl (V), 9.6 ml for ethyl (VI), 18.5 ml for propyl (VII), and 37.9 ml for butyl (VIII)] showed an exponential relationship with chain length of the esterifying alcohols. Excipients did not interfere with the estimation of any of the compounds, hence pretreatment of the sample was unnecessary. Average recoveries of the active ingredients and of the parabens from laboratory prepared samples were essentially 100% of theoretical with standard deviations of 1.7, 0.3, 1.5, 0.3, 0.3, 3.3, 0.7, and 2.7% for I-VIII, respectively.

[The detection of guaiacol glyceryl ether, a content of many sedatives and hypnotics in the Federal Republic of Germany]

Guaiacol Glyceryl Ether (GGE) is well known as an expectorant in a large number of cough syrups etc. More recently it was used in surgery because of its activity as a muscle relaxant and its additive effect on narcotics. Today many of the sedatives and hypnotics in the BRD, which are available without prescription, contain GGE in doses of 50 mg to 250 mg partially combined with other sedative acting substances. With regard to the abuse of sedatives and hypnotics GGE therefore will be more important in future. The analytical data of GGE (for details see key words), extraction behavior and identification of TLC combined with quantitative determination by HPLC are described.

Simultaneous high-pressure liquid chromatographic determination of acetaminophen, guaifenesin, and dextromethorphan hydrobromide in cough syrup

Acetaminophen (I), guaifenesin (II), and dextromethorphan hydrobromide (III) were separated and quantitated simultaneously in cough syrup by high-pressure liquid chromatography. A chemically bonded octadecylsilane stationary phase was used with a mobile phase of 48% (v/v) aqueous methanol. The mobile phase pH was stabilized to 4.2 by adding formic acid--ammonium formate buffer (approximately 0.4%). The internal standard was o-dinitrobenzene. Retention volumes were 4 ml for I, 6 ml for II, 11 ml for the internal standard, and 20 ml for III. Inactive syrup components did not interfere, permitting direct diluted sample injection. Results on active ingredients were essentially 100% of the claim, with standard deviations of +/- 1.5, 1.2, and 2.1% for I, II, and III, respectively.

Rapid, stability-indicating, high-pressure liquid chromatographic determination of theophylline, guaifenesin, and benzoic acid in liquid and solid pharmaceutical dosage forms

Theophylline, guaifenesin, and benzoic acid were determined by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography without interference from active and/or vehicle decomposition. A degradation product of sucrose, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, can be identified and quantified in liquid samples simultaneously.

Quantitative determinations of codeine phosphate, guaifenesin, pheniramine maleate, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, and pyrilamine maleate in an expectorant by high-pressure liquid chromatography

The quantitative determinations of codeine phosphate, guaifenesin, pheniramine maleate, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, and pyrilamine maleate in a liquid dosage form are described. All active and inactive ingredients (sodium benzoate and FD&C Yellow No. 5 dye) can be separated with high-pressure liquid chromatography except the two antihistamines, pheniramine maleate and pyrilamine maleate. Pheniramine maleate is determined colorimetrically, and pyrilamine maleate is determined either by difference or spectrophotometrically. The methods are simple short, accurate, and precise. The standard deviations are reported.