Spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric methods for determination of racecadotril

Two accurate and sensitive spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric methods were developed for determination of Racecadotril. In the first method reduction of Fe3+ into Fe2+ in presence of o-phenanthroline by Racecadotril to form a stable orange-red ferroin chelate [Fe- [Phen][3][2+] was the basis for its determination. The absorbance at 510 nm was measured and linear correlation was obtained in the concentration range of 2.5 - 25 microg mL[-1]. In the second method the native fluorescence of Racecadotril in acetonitril solvent at lambda, = 319 nm when excitation was at 252 nm is used for its determination. Linear correlation was obtained in the concentration range of 50 to 500 ng mL[-1]. The proposed methods were applied for determination of Racecadotril in bulk powder with mean accuracy of 100.39 +/- 1.239 for the spectrophotometric method and 100.09 +/- 1.042 for the spectrofluorimetric method. The proposed methods were successfully applied for determination of Racecadotril in its pharmaceutical dosage form

Current status of anti-diarrheal and anti-secretory drugs in the management of acute childhood diarrhea.

Each year 1.8 million children die due to diarrheal diseases. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics has resulted in increasing resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Moreover the recent outbreaks of shigella and cholera have revealed multi-drug resistance strains. There is a need for review of recommended antibiotics for shigellosis. From recent data it emerges that fluoroquinolones should be the first line of therapy and cephalosporins to be used as the second line. Among the anti-cholera antibiotics, tetracyclines which were the drug of choice for adults, has the advantage of high sensitivity and low cost. Single dose doxycycline would have minimal side effects, hence can be the drug of choice even in children. We should not allow the business pressures to force usage of probiotics and racecadotril as their role in the management of acute diarrhea is yet to be established. Nitazoxanide has high efficacy against Cryptosporodial diarrhea only. Strict adherence to the recommendations for the management of acute childhood diarrhea is needed or else we dilute the effect of standard management.