Rapid validated thin-layer chromatography–densitometry for the simultaneous determination of three co-formulated drugs used for common cold treatment

Abstract

A rapid validated thin-layer chromatography (TLC)‒densitometric method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of 3 co-formulated drugs used for common cold and cough treatment. The studied drugs are paracetamol, pseudoephedrine, and chlorpheniramine maleate. The separation was achieved using silica gel 60 F254 plates and the developing system of methanol‒ toluene‒acetic acid (44:16:1, v/v). Densitometry scanning was performed at 254 nm. The method was validated as per the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines and was successfully applied for the analysis of pharmaceutical preparation containing the cited ternary mixture without interference from excipients. There is no previously published TLC–densitometric method for the determination of the previously mentioned ternary mixture. The suggested method is rapid and of low cost, so it can be used for quality control analysis.