Edition: BP 2025 (Ph. Eur. 11.6 update)
Action and use
Cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor; analgesic; anti-inflammatory.
DEFINITION
Felbinac Cutaneous Foam is a fluid foam containing Felbinac in solution in a suitable pressurised container.
The cutaneous foam complies with the requirements stated under Medicated Foams and with the following requirements.
Content of felbinac, C14H12O2
95.0 to 105.0% of the stated amount.
In each of the following tests, discharge a quantity of the foam into a suitable vessel with the can upright. Quantitatively transfer the foam using methanol. Determine the sample weight by difference.
IDENTIFICATION
A. Carry out the method for thin-layer chromatography, Appendix III A, using the following solutions.
(1) Dissolve a weighed quantity of the foam containing 60 mg of Felbinac in methanol, warming slightly if necessary to break the foam, and add sufficient methanol to produce 100 mL.
(2) 0.06% w/v solution of felbinac BPCRS in methanol.
CHROMATOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS
(a) Use as the coating silica gel F254 (Merck silica gel 60 F254 plates are suitable)
(b) Use the mobile phase as described below.
(c) Apply 10 μL of each solution.
(d) Develop the plate to 10 cm.
(e) After removal of the plate, dry in air and examine under ultraviolet light (254 nm) (first examination). Spray the plate with a mixture of equal volumes of formaldehyde solution and sulfuric acid and heat at 110° for 10 minutes (second examination).
MOBILE PHASE
1 volume of glacial acetic acid, 25 volumes of acetone and 50 volumes of hexane.
CONFIRMATION
In the first examination:
the principal spot in the chromatogram obtained with solution (1) corresponds in position and colour to that in the chromatogram obtained with solution (2).
In the second examination:
the principal spots in the chromatograms obtained with solutions (1) and (2) are an intense purple colour.
B. In the Assay, the chromatogram obtained with solution (1) shows a peak with the same retention time as the principal peak in the chromatogram obtained with solution (2).
TESTS
Alkalinity
pH of the foam, 7.0 to 8.6, Appendix V L. Ensure good contact between the foam and the electrode.
Related substances
Carry out the method for liquid chromatography, Appendix III D, using the following solutions.
(1) Dissolve a weighed quantity of the foam containing 30 mg of Felbinac in methanol, warming slightly if necessary to break the foam, and add sufficient methanol to produce 50 mL.
(2) Dilute 1 volume of solution (1) to 100 volumes with the mobile phase and further dilute 1 volume of this solution to 10 volumes with the same solvent.
(3) 0.00006% w/v of 4-acetylbiphenyl and 0.00006% w/v of biphenyl in methanol.
(4) 0.001% w/v of felbinac BPCRS and 0.001% w/v of o-phenylbenzoic acid in the mobile phase.
CHROMATOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS
(a) Use a stainless steel column (10 cm × 4.6 mm) packed with end-capped octadecylsilyl silica gel for chromatography (10 μm) (Partisil ODS3 is suitable).
(b) Use isocratic elution and the mobile phase described below.
(c) Use a flow rate of 2 mL per minute.
(d) Use an ambient column temperature.
(e) Use a detection wavelength of 254 nm.
(f) Inject 50 μL of each solution.
(g) For solution (1) allow the chromatography to proceed for at least twice the retention time of the principal peak.
MOBILE PHASE
45 volumes of a 0.1% v/v solution of glacial acetic acid and 55 volumes of methanol.
SYSTEM SUITABILITY
The test is not valid unless, in the chromatogram obtained with solution (4), the resolution factor between the two principal peaks is at least 3.0.
LIMITS
In the chromatogram obtained with solution (1):
the area of any peak corresponding to 4-acetylbiphenyl is not greater than the area of the corresponding peak in the chromatogram obtained with solution (3) (0.1%);
the area of any peak corresponding to biphenyl is not greater than the area of the corresponding peak in the chromatogram obtained with solution (3) (0.1%);
the area of any other secondary peak is not greater than the area of the principal peak in the chromatogram obtained with solution (2) (0.1%).
ASSAY
Carry out the method for liquid chromatography, Appendix III D, using the following solutions.
(1) Dissolve a weighed quantity of the foam containing 30 mg of felbinac in 60 mL of methanol, warming slightly, if necessary, to break the foam, add slowly, and with mixing, sufficient water to produce 100 mL and dilute 1 volume of the resulting solution to 20 volumes with the mobile phase.
(2) 0.0015% w/v of felbinac BPCRS in the mobile phase.
(3) 0.0015% w/v each of felbinac BPCRS and o-phenylbenzoic acid in the mobile phase.
CHROMATOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS
Use the chromatographic conditions described under Related substances, with the exception of the run time. Inject 20 μL of each solution.
SYSTEM SUITABILITY
The assay is not valid unless, in the chromatogram obtained with solution (3), the resolution factor between the two principal peaks is at least 3.0.
DETERMINATION OF CONTENT
Calculate the content of C14H12O2 in the foam using the declared content of C14H12O2 in felbinac BPCRS.
STORAGE
Felbinac Cutaneous Foam should be kept protected from light. It should not be refrigerated.



