Citalopram is a highly selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with minimal effects on the neuronal reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine. It is a bicyclic phthalane derivative (racemic), which is not related to the tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. It is used in the treatment of major depressive disorder. The hydrobromide salt of it is administered orally. Chemically, it is (Ϯ)-1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran-5-carbonitrile, hydrobromide.
1)A very few analytical methods appeared in the literature for the determination of citalopram hydrobromide in tablets are generally based HPLC with UV detection 2) HPLC with fluorescence detection, 3) capillary zone electrophoretic method 4) densitometric HPTLC, and videodensitometric HPTLC methods. 5) HPLC-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/ESI) 6) and HPLC-positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry method has been reported for the quantification of citalopram in human plasma.7) Officially assay of citalopram hydrobromide is not described in pharmacopoeias. In the present work, an attempt was made to provide a simple, accurate and low cost spectrophotometric method for the quantitative determination of citalopram hydrobromide in pharmaceutical preparations without the interferences of other constituent in the formulations.
ExperimentalApparatus A Hitachi U 1100, UV/Vis spectrophotometer (Japan) with silica glass cell of 1 cm thickness was used. Officially calibrated Pyrex glassware was used throughout this study.Reagents and Standards Citalopram hydrobromide was supplied by Bio Fine pharmaceuticals (Pvt.) Ltd. Multan, Pakistan. Commercial dosage forms of citalopram hydrobromide were purchased from a local market. All reagents and solvents used were of Analytical Reagent Grade. 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) (Fluka, Switzerland) 2.0 mg ml Ϫ1 solution was prepared in 1,4-dioxan. The standard solutions (1 mg ml
Ϫ1) of citalopram hydrobromide were prepared in methanol for method A and citalopram hydrobromide base in chloroform for method B. An aqueous solution of sodium carbonate (0.5 M, Merck, Germany) was prepared in doubly distilled water.Recommended Procedures. Method A Different aliquots of standard solution of citalopram hydrobromide (5-40 mg ml Ϫ1 ) were prepared in methanol. Absorbance of these solutions was noted at 240 nm against a reagent blank.Procedure for the Assay of Citalopram Hydrobromide in Pharmaceutical Formulations Twenty tablets were accurately weighed and powdered. A portion equivalent to 100 mg of citalopram hydrobromide was stirred with 30 ml methanol and the volume was made up to 50 ml in volumetric flask. The solution was filtered with Whatman filter paper No. 1. Then take aliquot of the filtrate made up to 100 ml volume with methanol in volumetric flask. The absorbance was measured at 240 nm against reagent blank.Method B. Preparation of Citalopram Base Solution A citalopram base solution was prepared by transferring 100 ml of 0.5% cital...