Prolonged-release Nifedipine Capsules
Nifedipine Prolonged-release Capsules from different manufacturers, whilst complying with the requirements of the monograph, are not interchangeable unless otherwise justified and authorised.
Action and use
Calcium channel blocker.
DEFINITION
Nifedipine Prolonged-release Capsules contain Nifedipine. They are formulated so that the medicament is released over a period of several hours.
PRODUCTION
A suitable dissolution test is carried out to demonstrate the appropriate release of Nifedipine. The dissolution profile reflects the in vivo performance which in turn is compatible with the dosage schedule recommended by the manufacturer.
The capsules comply with the requirements stated under Capsules and with the following requirements.
Content of nifedipine, C17H18N2O6
95.0 to 105.0% of the stated amount.
Carry out all the following procedures in the dark or under long-wavelength light (greater than 420 nm). Prepare solutions immediately before use and protect them from light.
IDENTIFICATION
A. Carry out the method for thin-layer chromatography, Appendix III A, using the following solutions.
(1) Shake a quantity of the contents of the capsules containing 20 mg of Nifedipine with 100 mL of a solution containing equal volumes of dichloromethane and methanol and filter through a Whatman GF/C filter.
(2) 0.02% w/v of nifedipine BPCRS in equal volumes of dichloromethane and methanol.
(3) Equal volumes of solution (1) and solution (2).
CHROMATOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS
(a) Use as the coating silica gel GF254 (Merck silica gel 60 F254 plates are suitable).
(b) Use the mobile phase as described below.
(c) Apply 20 μL of each solution.
(d) Develop the plate to 15 cm in an unsaturated tank.
(e) After removal of the plate, dry in air and examine under ultraviolet light (254 nm).
MOBILE PHASE
40 volumes of ethyl acetate and 60 volumes of cyclohexane.
SYSTEM SUITABILITY
The test is not valid unless the chromatogram obtained with solution (3) appears as a single spot.
CONFIRMATION
The principal spot in the chromatogram obtained with solution (1) corresponds in position and size to that in the chromatogram obtained with solution (2).
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
Related substances
Carry out the method for liquid chromatography, Appendix III D, using the following solutions.
(1) Shake a quantity of the powdered content of the capsules containing 50 mg of Nifedipine in 15 mL of methanol, dilute to 25 mL with methanol and filter. Dilute 1 volume of the resulting solution with 1 volume of the mobile phase.
(2) Dilute 1 volume of solution (1) to 100 volumes with the mobile phase and further dilute 1 volume of the resulting solution to 5 volumes with the mobile phase.
(3) 0.0005% w/v of dimethyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate BPCRS in the mobile phase.
(4) 0.0005% w/v of dimethyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrosophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate BPCRS in the mobile phase.
(5) Dilute 1 volume of solution (1) to 100 volumes with the mobile phase and further dilute 1 volume of the resulting solution with 1 volume of solution (3) and 1 volume of solution (4).
(6) Dilute 1 volume of solution (2) to 4 volumes with the mobile phase.
CHROMATOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS
(a) Use a stainless steel column (15 cm × 4.6 mm) packed with octadecylsilyl silica gel for chromatography (5 μm) (Lichrosorb RP18 is suitable).
(b) Use isocratic elution and the mobile phase described below.
(c) Use a flow rate of 1 mL per minute.
(d) Use an ambient column temperature.
(e) Use a detection wavelength of 235 nm.
(f) Inject 20 μL of each solution.
MOBILE PHASE
9 volumes of acetonitrile, 36 volumes of methanol and 55 volumes of water.
SYSTEM SUITABILITY
The test is not valid unless, in the chromatogram obtained with solution (5):
the resolution factor between the peaks due to dimethyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate and dimethyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrosophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate is at least 1.5;
the resolution factor between the peaks due to dimethyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrosophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate and nifedipine is at least 1.5.
LIMITS
In the chromatogram obtained with solution (1):
the area of any peak corresponding to dimethyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)pyridine- 3,5-dicarboxylate is not greater than the area of the principal peak in the chromatogram obtained with solution (3) (0.5%);
the area of any peak corresponding to dimethyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrosophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate is not greater than the area of the principal peak in the chromatogram obtained with solution (4) (0.5%);
the area of any other secondary peak is not greater than the area of the principal peak in the chromatogram obtained with solution (2) (0.2%);
the sum of the areas of any other secondary peaks is not greater than 5 times the area of the principal peak in the chromatogram obtained with solution (2) (1.0%).
Disregard any peak with an area less than the area of the principal peak in the chromatogram obtained with solution (6) (0.05%).
ASSAY
Carry out the method for liquid chromatography, Appendix III D, using the following solutions.
(1) To a quantity of the powdered mixed contents of 20 capsules containing 50 mg of Nifedipine, add 15 mL of methanol, dilute to 50 mL with methanol and filter. Dilute 1 volume of the resulting solution to 5 volumes with the mobile phase.
(2) 0.02% w/v nifedipine BPCRS in the mobile phase.
(3) 0.0003% w/v of nifedipine BPCRS, 0.0002% w/v of dimethyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate BPCRS and 0.0002% w/v of dimethyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrosophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate BPCRS in the mobile
phase.
CHROMATOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS
The chromatographic conditions described under Related substances may be used.
SYSTEM SUITABILITY
The test is not valid unless in solution (3):
the resolution factor between the peaks due to dimethyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate and dimethyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrosophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate is at least 1.5;
the resolution factor between the peaks due to dimethyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrosophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate and nifedipine is at least 1.5.
DETERMINATION OF CONTENT
Calculate the content of C17H18N2O6 in the capsules using the declared content of C17H18N2O6 in nifedipine BPCRS.
IMPURITIES
The impurities limited by the requirements of this monograph include those listed under Nifedipine.
