A highly selective and sensitive Tb3+-acetylacetone photo probe for the assessment of acetazolamide in pharmaceutical and serum samples.

A novel, simple, sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of Acetazolamide in pharmaceutical tablets and serum samples using photo probe Tb3+-ACAC. The Acetazolamide can remarkably quench the luminescence intensity of Tb3+-ACAC complex in DMSO at pH 6.8 and λex = 350 nm. The quenching of luminescence intensity of Tb3+-ACAC complex especially the electrical band at λem = 545 nm is used for the assessment of Acetazolamide in the pharmaceutical tablet and serum samples. The dynamic range found for the determination of Acetazolamide concentration is 4.49 × 10-9-1.28 × 10-7 mol L-1, and the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) are (4.0 × 10-9 and 1.21 × 10-8) mol L-1, respectively.

Validated HPLC-DAD Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Six Selected Drugs Used in the Treatment of Glaucoma.

This work presents a simple, sensitive, and generic HPLC-diode-array detection method for the simultaneous determination of six drugs prescribed for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The investigated drugs include brimonidine tartarate (BMN), acetazolamide (AZA), brinzomaide (BZA), dorzolamide HCl (DZA), levobunolol HCl (LVB), and timolol maleate (TIM). Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved using a Thermo Hypersil BDS C18 column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 µm) with a mobile phase consisting of phosphate buffer pH 5 and acetonitrile in a ratio of 78 + 22. The flow rate was 1 mL/min, and quantification was based on measuring peak areas at 298 nm for TIM and 254 nm for the other drugs. Peaks were perfectly resolved, with retention times at 3.06, 3.87, 4.53, 5.78, 7.31, and 10.78 min for BMN, AZA, DZA, TIM, LVB, and BZA respectively. The developed method was validated according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines with respect to system suitability, linearity, ranges, accuracy, precision, robustness, and LODs and LOQs. The proposed method showed good linearity in the ranges of 2-80, 2.5-100, 2.5-100, 5-200, 3.75-150, and 1.75-70 µg/mL for BMN, AZA, DZA, TIM, LVB, and BZA, respectively. LODs were 0.20-1.01 µg/mL for the analyzed compounds. Applicability of the proposed method to real-life situations was assessed through the analysis of five different pharmaceutical formulations, and satisfactory results were obtained.

Usefulness of capability indices in the framework of analytical methods validation.

Analytical methods capability evaluation can be a useful methodology to assess the fitness of purpose of these methods for their future routine application. However, care on how to compute the capability indices have to be made. Indeed, the commonly used formulas to compute capability indices such as Cpk, will highly overestimate the true capability of the methods. Especially during methods validation or transfer, there are only few experiments performed and, using in these situations the commonly applied capability indices to declare a method as valid or as transferable to a receiving laboratory will conduct to inadequate decisions. In this work, an improved capability index, namely Cpk-tol and the corresponding estimator of proportion of non-conforming results (π(Cpk-tol)) have been proposed. Through Monte-Carlo simulations, they have been shown to greatly increase the estimation of analytical methods capability in particular in low sample size situations as encountered during methods validation or transfer. Additionally, the usefulness of this capability index has been illustrated through several case studies covering applications commonly encountered in the pharmaceutical industry. Finally a methodology to determine the optimal sample size required to validate analytical methods is also given using the proposed capability metric.

Avaliação da fotoestabilidade de acetazolamida e loratadina e da capacidade de fotoproteção de seus complexos com ciclodextrinas / Assessing the photostability of acetazolamide and loratadine and the photoprotection capacity of its complexes with cyclodextrins

A fotoestabilidade é uma propriedade das moléculas que, quando utilizada como parâmetro farmacêutico, descreve como um fármaco responde à exposição à luz (solar ou artificial). No presente trabalho, foi avaliada a fotoestabilidade dos fármacos loratadina (LORA) e acetazolamida (ACZ) e de complexos LORA-ciclodextrinas. O estudo de fotoestabilidade de LORA (Capítulo 2) indicou que o fármaco é estável quando no estado sólido, porém, ocorre surgimento de coloração intensa. Por outro lado, quando em solução, observou-se degradação do fármaco, com surgimento de vários fotoprodutos denominados F1 a F15, dentre os quais foi possível identificar cinco compostos: F4 (C13H10N), F10 (C14H10CIN), F8 (C20H18CIN2O), F9 (C19H18CIN2) e F14 (C17H14CIN). A validação do método analítico CLAE, utilizado para quantificação de LORA em especialidades farmacêuticas (comprimidos e xaropes) é descrita no Capítulo 3. Na avaliação da fotodegradação forçada de formulações líquidas contendo LORA, foram degradados até 50% do fármaco. As formulações sólidas apresentaram-se fotoestáveis, observando-se perda de menos de 5% do fármaco. Não foram encontrados produtos de fotodegradação nas formulações, quando analisadas tal qual, obtidas do mercado. Dessa forma, as embalagens primárias garantiram sua estabilidade. A complexação de LORA com ciclodextrinas (Capítulo 4) mostrou-se um recurso bastante interessante para melhorar a fotoestabilidade do fármaco, uma vez que, após 12 horas de irradiação luminosa, é possível recuperar até 99% deste, quando na forma de complexo com γ-CD na proporção 1:1. Finalmente, o Capítulo 5 traz o método CLAE desenvolvido e validado para avaliação da acetazolamida (ACZ), o qual mostrou-se adequado para a quantificação do fármaco, obtendo-se ótima linearidade, precisão, exatidão e seletividade. Segundo as condições do guia Q1B, a ACZ se manteve estável quando submetida à radiação luminosa utilizando meios aquosos e no estado sólido. No entanto, a fotoestabilidade da ACZ foi afetada na presença de metanol, sendo possível quantificar três impurezas

Photostability is a property of molecules that, when used as a pharmaceutical parameter, can describe how a drug responds to exposure to light (either solar or artificial). In this study, the photostability of the drugs loratadine (LORA) and acetazolamide (ACZ), as well as LORA-cyclodextrin complexes, was evaluated. A study of the photostability of LORA (Chapter 2) indicated that the drug is stable in its solid form, however intense coloring does occur. On the other hand, when in solution form, degradation of the drug was observed, with the appearance of several photoproducts that we labled F1 to F15, among which it was possible to identify five compounds: F4 (C13H10N), F10 (C14H10CIN), F8 (C20H18CIN2O), F9 (C19H18CIN2) and F14 (C17H14CIN). The validation of the analytical method by HPLC, used for the quantification of LORA in pharmaceutical products (tablets and syrups) is detailed in Chapter 3. In the evaluation of forced photodegradation of liquid formulations containing LORA, up to 50% of the drug was degraded. The solid formulations proved to be photostable, with a loss of less than 5% of the drug. No photodegradation products were found in the formulations when they were analyzed "as is" (the way they were obtained from the commercial market). Accordingly, their primary packaging protected their stability. The complexation of LORA with cyclodextrins (Chapter 4) proved to be an effective resource for improving the photostability of the drug, since, after 12 hours of luminous radiation, it was possible to recover up to 99% of the drug, when in the complex form with γ-CD, in the proportion 1:1. Finally, Chapter 5 describes the HPLC method developed and validated for the evaluation of acetazolamide (ACZ), which proved to be adequate for the quantification of the drug, with the attainment of optimal linearity, precision, exactness and selectivity. According to the conditions of the Q1B guideline, ACZ was stable when subjected to luminous radiation using aqueous means and in its solid state. However, the photostability of ACZ was affected by the presence of methanol, and we were able to quantify three impurities

Computer-assisted design and synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers for selective extraction of acetazolamide from human plasma prior to its voltammetric determination.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were computationally designed and synthesized for the selective extraction of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, i.e. acetazolamide (ACZ), from human plasma. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to study the intermolecular interactions in the pre-polymerization mixture and to find a suitable functional monomer in MIP preparation. The interaction energies were corrected for the basis set superposition error (BSSE) using the counterpoise (CP) correction. The polymerization solvent was simulated by means of polarizable continuum model (PCM). It was found that acrylamide (AAM) is the best candidate to prepare MIPs. To confirm the results of theoretical calculations, three MIPs were synthesized with different functional monomers and evaluated using Langmuir-Freundlich (LF) isotherm. The results indicated that the most homogeneous MIP with the highest number of binding sites is the MIP prepared by AAM. This polymer was then used as a selective adsorbent to develop a molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction procedure followed by differential pulse voltammetry (MISPE-DPV) for clean-up and determination of ACZ in human plasma.

A validated stability-indicating LC method for acetazolamide in the presence of degradation products and its process-related impurities.

The objective of the current study was to develop a validated, specific and stability-indicating reverse phase liquid chromatographic method for the quantitative determination of acetazolamide and its related substances. The determination was done for an active pharmaceutical ingredient, its pharmaceutical dosage form in the presence of degradation products, and its process-related impurities. The drug was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis (acid and base), oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation as per International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) prescribed stress conditions to show the stability-indicating power of the method. Significant degradation was observed during acid and base hydrolysis, and the major degradant was identified by LC-MS, FTIR and (1)H/(13)C NMR spectral analysis. The chromatographic conditions were optimized using an impurity-spiked solution and the generated samples were used for forced degradation studies. In the developed HPLC method, the resolution between acetazolamide and, its process-related impurities (namely imp-1, imp-2, imp-3, imp-4 and its degradation products) was found to be greater than 2. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18, 250mmx4.6mm, 5microm column. The LC method employed a linear gradient elution, and the detection wavelength was set at 254nm. The stress samples were assayed against a qualified reference standard and the mass balance was found to be close to 99.6%. The developed RP-LC method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness.

Flow-through sol-gel optical biosensor for the colorimetric determination of acetazolamide.

An optical biosensor based on immobilised carbonic anhydrase and its application to the determination of the anti-glaucoma agent acetazolamide by enzyme inhibition measurements, is described. The enzyme and a pH indicator dye, cresol red, were physically immobilised in overlapped sol-gel thin films, in a dual-layer format. Carbonic anhydrase catalyses the dehydration of HCO3-, which in turn causes a change of pH in the microenvironment of the sensor. By following the colour transition of cresol red, the enzymatic reaction as well as its inhibition by acetazolamide can be monitored. The sensor was integrated in a flow cell and coupled to a continuous flow system operating on a multicommutation and binary sampling approach. Measurements were made at pH 6.0 at the wavelength of 570 nm. Linear response was obtained for acetazolamide concentrations between 1.0 and 10.0 mmol l(-1), with a sampling frequency of 22 samples h(-1) and a detection limit of 0.2 mmol l(-1). The results obtained in the analysis of real samples were in good agreement with those obtained by a reference method, showing no significant differences at a confidence level of 95%.

Analysis of antiepileptic drugs in biological fluids by means of electrokinetic chromatography.

An overview of the electrokinetic chromatographic methods for the analysis of antiepileptic drug levels in biological samples is presented. In particular, micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography is a very suitable method for the determination of these drugs, because it allows a rapid, selective, and accurate analysis. In addition to the electrokinetic chromatographic studies on the determination of antiepileptic drugs, some information regarding sample pretreatment will also be reported: this is a critical step when the analysis of biological fluids is concerned. The electrokinetic chromatographic methods for the determination of recent antiepileptic drugs (e.g., lamotrigine, levetiracetam) and classical anticonvulsants (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, ethosuximide, valproic acid) will be discussed in depth, and their pharmacological profiles will be briefly described as well.

Quantitation of acetazolamide in rat plasma, brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of acetazolamide (AZ) in rat blood (plasma/serum, whole blood and serum ultrafiltrate), brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was described. Quantitative extraction of AZ with ethyl acetate from both buffered plasma and brain tissue homogenate (pH 8.0) was achieved. Each extract was evaporated to dryness and the residue was chromatographed on a reversed-phase column. CSF was directly analysed without extraction step. The limits of detection were 0.05 microgram ml-1 for plasma, 0.02 microgram g-1 for brain tissue and 0.004 microgram ml-1 for CSF. Calibration curves were linear over the working ranges of 0.1-100 micrograms ml-1 for plasma, 0.05-50 micrograms g-1 for brain tissue and 0.025-50 micrograms ml-1 for CSF. The reproducibility of AZ assay in the rat biologic media indicated very low relative standard deviations (RSDs). The recoveries of AZ added to plasma and brain tissue were more than 96% with an RSD of less than 5%. The present method was applied to studies of plasma concentration profiles of the drug after administration and its distribution into central nervous system.

Stability of acetazolamide, allopurinol, azathioprine, clonazepam, and flucytosine in extemporaneously compounded oral liquids.

The stability of drugs commonly prescribed for use in oral liquid dosage forms but not commercially available as such was studied. Acetazolamide 25 mg/mL, allopurinol 20 mg/mL, azathioprine 50 mg/mL, clonazepam 0.1 mg/mL, and flucytosine 10 mg/mL were prepared in 1:1 mixture of Ora-Sweet and Ora-Plus (Paddock Laboratories), a 1:1 mixture of Ora-Sweet SF and Ora-Plus (Paddock Laboratories), and cherry syrup and placed in polyethylene terephthalate bottles. The sources of the drugs were capsules and tablets. Six bottles were prepared per liquid; three were stored at 5 degrees C and three at 25 degrees C, all in the dark. A sample was removed from each bottle initially and at intervals up to 60 days and analyzed for drug concentration by stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography. At least 94% of the initial drug concentration was retained in all the oral liquids for up to 60 days. There were no substantial changes in the appearance or odor of the liquids, or in the pH. Acetazolamide 25 mg/mL, allopurinol 20 mg/mL, azathioprine 50 mg/mL, clonazepam 0.1 mg/mL, and flucytosine 10 mg/mL were stable for up to 60 days at 5 and 25 degrees C in three extemporaneously compounded oral liquids.

Determination of acetazolamide in dosage forms by high performance liquid chromatography.

A high performance liquid chromatographic assay for the quantitation of acetazolamide in both tablet and injection form is described. Acetazolamide is extracted with 0.005 M NaOH solution containing 0.3 mg/mL sulphadiazine (internal standard). A commercially available mu-Bondapak C18 cartridge column was used for the separation together with a mobile phase made of acetonitrile, methanol and sodium acetate buffer mixture (10:2:88) (pH 4) at a flow-rate of 4 mL/min. Retention times of about 2.50 and 3.36 min were obtained for the drug and the internal standard, respectively.

A stability-indicating first-derivative spectrophotometric assay of acetazolamide and its use in dissolution and kinetic studies.

A simple, rapid, stability-indicating first-derivative spectrophotometric assay procedure for the determination of the degradation products of acetazolamide is described. The dissolution and kinetics of drug degradation in aqueous buffered solutions were studied using the proposed method. Acetazolamide solution exhibited optimum stability at pH 4. The influences of temperature and sonic energy on the degradation of acetazolamide in 0.01 M NaOH solution were also studied. The results showed first-order reaction kinetics, with a degradation rate constant and degradation half-life of 3.51 x 10(-3) day-1 and 8.23 days, respectively.

Bioactive polymers 55. Synthesis and characterization of a macromolecular drug based on 5-acetylamino-2-sulfamoyl-1,3,4-thiodiazole.

The paper studies the coupling reaction by covalent bonding of acetylamino-2-sulfamoyl-1,3,4-thiodiazole (AcAA) on the poly(acrylic acid-costyrene) copolymer (PAcA-S) in homogeneous system, in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) as activator. The influence of some factors on coupling efficiency (the drug/support ratio, time, volume of solvent), as well as the mathematical model correlating the amount of coupled drug with these parameters is established. Maximum amounts of drug (28%) are chemically bound when employing maximum values of the parameters mentioned (i.e., AcAA/PAcA-S ratio = 2 mole/mole; time = 50 h; THF volume = 60 ml). Physicochemical and spectral analyses evidence the existence of some chemical bonds of the -CO-NH-SO2-type between the macromolecular support and the drug. In vivo tests have demonstrated the gradual hydrolysis of the chemical bonds as well as the release of the drug, due to the diuretic effect produced.

Solid-phase extraction of acetazolamide from biological fluids and subsequent analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A sensitive, relatively fast and simple to operate high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of acetazolamide in plasma and saliva is described. Quantitative extraction of the drug from both plasma and saliva was achieved using commercially available reversed-phase octadecylsilane-bonded silica column (Bond-Elut C18, 2.8 ml capacity). Acetazolamide and the internal standard are retained on the Bond-Elut C18 column and reproducibly recovered by elution with methanol. Liquid-liquid partition chromatography, carried out on a 30-cm mu Porasil column (10-microns porous silica) using a mobile phase consisting of dichloromethane-ethanol-water-glacial acetic acid (500:65:65:1), provided adequate separation with acceptable retention times. Acetazolamide levels in the region 50-100 ng/ml can be determined in 100 microliters of plasma or 200 microliters of saliva employing ultraviolet detection at 254 nm with a sensitivity of 0.005 absorbance units full scale. Although the method is primarily used to determine steady-state drug levels in paediatric patients, its general applicability is illustrated by the 24-h plasma and saliva concentration profiles obtained from a male volunteer following oral administration of acetazolamide.

Determination of acetazolamide in biological fluids by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay for acetazolamide is presented. A 100-microliter sample is mixed with an aliquot of the internal standard solution and the mixture, buffered at pH 4.5, is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is evaporated to dryness and the residue is analyzed by HPLC, using a reverse-phase octadecylsilane column. The wavelength of the detection is 254 nm. The coefficient of variation (CV) in the within-day analysis of replicate 10-microgram/ml acetazolamide samples in human blood plasma was 6.5%, while the between-day CV was 7.1%. The procedures was developed for the 1-25 microgram/ml acetazolamide concentration range. The internal standard used is similar in chemical structure to acetazolamide and can be readily prepared in one step from a commercially available precursor. In addition to blood serum or plasma, the assay can also use aqueous and vitreous humor samples. Theophylline and acetaminophen interfere in the assay. The technique was used to determine the concentration of acetazolamide in the blood serum of human volunteers after an oral dose of the drug, and in the aqueous and vitreous humors of rabbits after an intravenous dose of acetazolamide.