PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSES OF PARACETAMOL AND CIPROFLOXACIN TABLET BRANDS RETAILED IN DRUG OUTLETS IN AWKA AND ONITSHA, ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The materials used for investigation, 5 brands of paracetamol 500mg and 5 brands of ciprofloxacin 500mg
were bought from drug outlets. In-process tests for hardness, thickness, average weight, friability and
disintegration were carried out using hardness tester, venier caliper, digital electronic weighing balance, tablet
friability test apparatus and digital tablet disintegration test apparatus. Assay was carried out using UV-visible
spectrophotometer. The in-process tests and assay were performed using the methods described in the British
Pharmacopoeia and P.D.Sethi. The results of assay (%) for the brands of paracetamol 500mg and ciprofloxacin
500mg showed Emzor (101.7), M&B (100.3), GSK Panadol, (101.3), Bonadol (97.0), Yef (80.0), Cipromaxforte
(107.5), Cipxin (96.7), Cenox (96.9), Nuel (103.2), Wincip (97.4). The results of in-process tests and assay for
all the brands evaluated were in conformity with specification, except one brand of paracetamol 500mg (YEF)
that failed the assay. Since the results of in-process tests and assay obtained (for all the brands except one) are
within the acceptable limit defined by British Pharmacopoeia and United States Pharmacopoeia, it is concluded
that the method used be applied to the routine qualitative and quantitative analyses of paracetamol 500mg and
ciprofloxacin 500mg in tablet drug formulation. It is recommended that each of the brands evaluated (except
one brand of paracetamol that failed assay) is safe for its intended use. The brand of paracetamol (YEF) that
failed the assay, with value far below the allowed limit, indicated deficiency in the process of quality control.