Abstract

IN-VITRO QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF SOME BRANDS OF AMOXICILLIN TRIHYDRATE CAPSULES COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE IN WARRI COSMOPOLITAN CITY, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Johnbull Aiwaguore Obarisiagbon* and Grace Okunbor Igwede

ABSTRACT

This study is aimed at assessing the in-vitro pharmaceutical quality of 5 brands of commercially available Amoxicillin trihydrate capsules in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. A specific quality control method was developed for the determination and comparative study of the different brands of amoxicillin capsules. The quality of the brands was assessed through the evaluation of organoleptic properties, uniformity of weight, disintegration and dissolution tests, moisture uptake tendency and the determination of content uniformity using the spectrophotometric method. All the brands have suitable appearance; 4 brands passed the weight variation test; 3 brands passed the content uniformity test using the spectrophotometric method. All the brands passed the disintegration test, with the disintegration time ranging between 4.78 – 14.67 min. The different brands conform to the British Pharmacopoeia/United States Pharmacopeia dissolution rate of > 70% at 45 min. The 5 brands showed gradual increase in weight as a result of moisture uptake. From the various results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that majority of the commercially available brands of amoxicillin trihydrate capsules (500 mg) available and dispensed in Warri town and its environs, meet the pharmaceutical standards of quality and are safe for use by consumers. It is recommended that more analytical methods be employed to further validate their qualities.

Keywords: amoxicillin, organoleptic, spectrophotometric, dissolution.