RP-LC Analysis and Hydrolytic Degradation Profile of Racecadotril

A sensitive, stability-indicating liquid-chromatographic method for analysis of racecadotril in the presence of its degradation products has been developed and validated. Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column with a simple isocratic mobile phase—60:40 methanol–water. Quantification was by photo-diode array (PDA) detection at 220 nm. The linearity of the method was excellent over the range 1–32 μg mL−1. The method was sensitive, with low limits of detection (20 ng mL−1) and quantification (100 ng mL−1). The recovery of the method was consistently good (98.7–100.9%), with low (<1%) intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviation. Robustness studies confirmed that peak area was unaffected by small changes in temperature, and mobile phase composition and flow rate. Both alkaline and acidic hydrolytic degradation were performed in methanolic solution. In alkaline medium the drug was degraded immediately; it was degraded within 90 min in acidic medium. The validated, stability-indicating, method was used for analysis of racecadotril in pharmaceutical dosage form and also to reveal the hydrolytic degradation profile of the racecadotril.