Ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of a multicomponent anticholinergic drug formulation.

N,N'-Trimethylene-bis-(pyridinium-4-aldoxime)dibromide, 4-pyridine aldoxime, atropine sulfate, benactyzine hydrochloride, methyl paraben and propyl paraben are separated by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography. The method is specific for detecting and quantifying each compound in a complex mixture without solvent extraction or pretreatment. Levels as low as 1 ng on column are quantifiable by the procedure. All components are eluted within 9 min subsequent to the initial injection. Because of the simplicity of the method, the procedure is suitable for routinely monitoring the stability of the various compounds in the formulation during storage.