Change to read:
Identification
A: Infrared Absorption
197K
(for bilayer tablets)
fexofenadine hydrochloride
Test specimen
Grind the fexofenadine hydrochloride layer of 1 Tablet, and transfer it into a 30-mL capped centrifuge tube. Add 20 mL of 1 N sodium hydroxide, mix in a vortex mixer for 1 to 2 minutes, then centrifuge for 3 to 5 minutes at approximately 2500 rpm or greater. Decant the solution, and pass through a 25-mm glass syringe filter. Add 10 mL of 10% hydrochloric acid, and heat this solution, with stirring, to near boiling. Cool, and centrifuge for 3 to 5 minutes. Decant and discard the liquid, wash the precipitate with 10 mL of water, and centrifuge for 1 to 2 minutes. Decant and discard the water, and dry the precipitate in an oven for 1 hour at 105

.
Standard specimen
Transfer a quantity, in mg, of
USP Fexofenadine Hydrochloride RS, equivalent to the labeled amount of fexofenadine hydrochloride, to a 30-mL capped centrifuge tube, and proceed as directed for
Test specimen, beginning with Add 20 mL of 1 N sodium hydroxide.
pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
Test specimen
Grind the pseudoephedrine hydrochloride layer of 1 Tablet, and transfer it into a capped 30-mL centrifuge tube. Add 20 mL of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid, mix on a vortex mixer for 1 to 2 minutes, and centrifuge for 3 to 5 minutes at approximately 2500 rpm or greater. Decant the solution, and pass through a 0.45-µm nylon filter; discard the residue. Add 10 mL of 1 N sodium hydroxide, and pour it into a separatory funnel containing 15 mL of methylene chloride. Carefully rotate and shake the funnel using care not to form an emulsion. Allow the layers to separate for about 10 minutes. Decant the methylene chloride (lower) layer into a 50-mL beaker, and filter through a glass funnel loaded with a glass wool plug and 1 to 2 g of sodium sulfate. Evaporate to dryness.
[NoteDo not exceed 75

if a hot plate is used to aid evaporation.
]
Standard specimen
Transfer a quantity, in mg, of
USP Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride RS equivalent to the labeled amount of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride to a 30-mL capped centrifuge tube, and proceed as directed for
Test specimen, beginning with Add 20 mL of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid.
B:
The retention times of the major peaks in the chromatogram of the Assay preparation correspond to those in the chromatogram of the Standard preparation, as obtained in the Assay.
C: Thin-Layer Chromatographic Identification Test
201
4
Adsorbent:
0.2-mm layer of high-performance thin-layer chromatographic silica gel mixture. Dry the plate at 105

for one hour before use.
Test solution
Weigh and finely powder not fewer than 4 Tablets. Transfer powdered tablets, equivalent to 30 mg of fexofenadine hydrochloride and 60 mg of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, into a suitable vessel, and add 5 mL of methanol. Cap the vessel, and shake vigorously for about 2 minutes. Pass the resulting suspension through a suitable 0.45-µm filter. Use the filtrate.
Fexofenadine hydrochloride standard solution
Dissolve an accurately weighed quantity of
USP Fexofenadine Hydrochloride RS in methanol to obtain a solution having a known concentration of about 6 mg per mL.
Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride standard solution
Dissolve an accurately weighed quantity of
USP Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride RS in methanol to obtain a solution having a known concentration of about 12 mg per mL.
Application volume:
10 µL.
Developing solvent solution:
a mixture of toluene, dehydrated alcohol, and ammonium hydroxide (50:45:5).
Procedure
Proceed as directed in the chapter, using the
Developing solvent system. After removal of the plate, mark the solvent front, and allow the plate to air-dry. Heat the plate at 105

until the odor of ammonia disappears (approximately 5 minutes). Allow the plate to cool, and examine under UV light at 254 nm. The
RF values are about 0.17 for fexofenadine and 0.39 for pseudoephedrine. The
RF value of fexofenadine hydrochloride in the test sample is comparable to that of fexofenadine hydrochloride in the Standard solution. The
RF value of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride in the test sample is comparable to that of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride in the Standard solution.
Change to read:
Dissolution
711
test 1
3
Medium:
0.001 N hydrochloric acid; 900 mL.
Apparatus 2:
50 rpm.
Times:
fexofenadine hydrochloride: 15 and 45 minutes; pseudoephedrine hydrochloride: 45 minutes; 3, 5, and 12 hours.
Determine the percentages of the labeled amounts of fexofenadine hydrochloride (C32H39NO4·HCl) and of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (C10H15NO·HCl) dissolved by using the following method.
Buffer solution
Dissolve 14.0 g of monobasic sodium phosphate monohydrate in 2 L of water. Adjust with 85% phosphoric acid to a pH of 2.00 ± 0.05.
Mobile phase
Prepare a filtered and degassed mixture of
Buffer solution and acetonitrile (55:45). Make adjustments if necessary (see
System suitability under
Chromatography
621
).
Standard solution
[NoteA small amount of methanol, not to exceed 0.5% of the total volume, can be used to dissolve the fexofenadine hydrochloride.
] Dissolve accurately weighed quantities of
USP Fexofenadine Hydrochloride RS and
USP Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride RS in
Medium, and dilute quantitatively, and stepwise if necessary, to obtain a solution containing known concentrations similar to those expected in the solution under test.
Test solution
Use portions of the solution under test passed through a 0.45-µm nylon filter.
Chromatographic system
(see
Chromatography
621
)The liquid chromatograph is equipped with a 210-nm detector and a 4.6-mm × 25-cm column containing packing L6. The flow rate is about 1.0 mL per minute. Chromatograph the
Standard solution, and record the peak responses as directed for
Procedure: the resolution,
R, between fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine is not less than 3.0; the tailing factor is not more than 1.5 for fexofenadine and for pseudoephedrine; and the relative standard deviation for replicate injections is not more than 2.0%.
Procedure
Separately inject equal volumes (about 10 µL) of the Standard solution and the Test solution into the chromatograph, and record the peak responses for fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine. Calculate the amounts of fexofenadine hydrochloride (C32H39NO4·HCl) and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (C10H15NO·HCl) dissolved.
Tolerances
For fexofenadine hydrochloride (C
32H
39NO
4·HCl), not less than 65% (
Q) of the labeled amount is dissolved in 15 minutes and not less than 80% (
Q) of the labeled amount is dissolved in 45 minutes; the percentages of the labeled amount of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (C
10H
15NO·HCl) dissolved at the times specified conform to
Acceptance Table 2 under
Dissolution
711
.
Time |
Amount dissolved (average) |
45 minutes |
not more than 36% |
3 hours |
between 45% and 69% |
5 hours |
between 61% and 80% |
12 hours |
not less than 80% |
test 2
If the product complies with this test, the labeling indicates that the product meets USP
Dissolution Test 2.
Medium:
0.001 N hydrochloric acid; 900 mL.
Apparatus 2:
50 rpm.
Times:
fexofenadine hydrochloride: 45 minutes; pseudoephedrine hydrochloride: 30 minutes; 2, 4, and 12 hours.
Determine the percentages of the labeled amounts of fexofenadine hydrochloride (C32H39NO4·HCl) and of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (C10H15NO·HCl) dissolved by using the following method.
Buffer solution
Dissolve about 2.7 g of monobasic potassium phosphate and 2.2 g of sodium 1-octanesulfonate in 1000 mL of water. Adjust with phosphoric acid to a pH of 2.50 ± 0.05.
Mobile phase
Prepare a filtered and degassed mixture of
Buffer solution, methanol, and acetonitrile (4:3:3). Make adjustments if necessary (see
System Suitability under
Chromatography
621
).
Fexofenadine standard stock solution
Transfer about 66 mg, accurately weighed, of
USP Fexofenadine Hydrochloride RS to a 100-mL volumetric flask. Add 10 mL of methanol, and swirl until dissolved. Add about 50 mL of
Medium, and mix. Allow the solution to equilibrate to room temperature, and dilute with
Medium to volume.
Pseudoephedrine standard stock solution
Transfer about 66 mg, accurately weighed, of
USP Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride RS to a 100-mL volumetric flask. Add 10 mL of methanol, and swirl until dissolved. Add about 50 mL of
Medium, and mix. Allow the solution to equilibrate to room temperature, and dilute with
Medium to volume.
Working standard solution
Transfer 10.0 mL of Fexofenadine standard stock solution and 20.0 mL of Pseudoephedrine standard stock solution to a 100-mL volumetric flask, dilute with Medium to volume, and mix.
Test solution
Pass a portion of the solution under test through a suitable filter having a porosity of 0.45 µm.
Chromatographic system
The liquid chromatograph is equipped with a 215-nm detector and a 4.6-mm × 25-cm column containing 5-µm packing L7. The flow rate is about 1.5 mL per minute. Chromatograph the Working standard solution, and record the peak responses as directed for Procedure: the resolution, R, between fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine is not less than 2.0; the tailing factor for the fexofenadine peak is not more than 2.0, and for the pseudoephedrine peak, not more than 2.5; and the relative standard deviation for replicate injections for both peaks is not more than 2.0%.
Procedure
Separately inject equal volumes (about 10 µL) of the Working standard solution and the Test solution into the chromatograph, and record the peak responses for fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine. Calculate the amounts of fexofenadine hydrochloride (C32H39NO4·HCl) and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (C10H15NO·HCl) dissolved.
Tolerances
For fexofenadine hydrochloride (C
32H
39NO
4·HCl), not less than 80% (
Q) of the labeled amount is dissolved in 45 minutes; and the percentages of the labeled amount of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (C
10H
15NO·HCl) dissolved at the times specified conform to
Acceptance Table 2 under
Dissolution
711
.
Time |
Amount dissolved (average) |
30 minutes |
not more than 35% |
2 hours |
between 38% and 58% |
4 hours |
between 56% and 76% |
12 hours |
not less than 80% |
3
Change to read:
Related compounds
Buffer solution, Mobile phase, System suitability preparation, and Chromatographic system
Proceed as directed in the Assay.
Standard solution
Use the Standard preparation, prepared as directed in the Assay.
Reference solution
Use the Assay preparation.
Test solution
Use the Assay stock preparation, prepared as directed in the Assay.
Chromatographic system (see Chromatography
621
)
Chromatograph the
System suitability preparation as directed for
Procedure: the relative retention times are about 1.2 for ephedrone and 1.0 for pseudoephedrine; the resolution,
R, between pseudoephedrine and ephedrone is not less than 1.7; and the relative standard deviation for replicate injections is not more than 1.0% based on the pseudoephedrine peak. Chromatograph the
Standard solution, and record the peak responses as directed for
Procedure: the relative retention times are about 1.2 for fexofenadine related compound A, 3.1 for decarboxylated degradant, and 1.0 for fexofenadine; the resolution,
R, between fexofenadine and fexofenadine related compound A is not less than 2.0; and the relative standard deviation for replicate injections is not more than 1.0% based on the fexofenadine peak and not more than 3.0% based on the individual peaks for fexofenadine related compound A and decarboxylated degradant.
Procedure
Separately inject equal volumes (about 20 µL) of the
Test solution and the
Reference solution into the chromatograph, record the chromatograms, and measure all of the peak responses. Calculate the percentage of fexofenadine related compound A and decarboxylated degradant in the portion of Tablets taken by the formula:
100(CS / CT)(ri / rS)
in which
CS is the concentration, in mg per mL, of either
USP Fexofenadine Related Compound A RS or decarboxylated degradant in the
Standard solution; CT is the nominal concentration, in mg per mL, of fexofenadine

hydrochloride
4 in the
Test solution; ri is the individual peak area of either fexofenadine related compound A or decarboxylated degradant obtained from the
Test solution; and
rS is the peak area of fexofenadine related compound A obtained from the
Standard solution. Calculate the percentage of ephedrone in the portion of Tablets taken by the formula:
(100/F)(CS / CT)(ri / rS)
in which
F is the relative response factor for ephedrone (
F is 0.394);
CS is the concentration, in mg per mL, of
USP Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride RS in the
Standard solution; CT is the nominal concentration, in mg per mL, of pseudoephedrine

hydrochloride
4 in the
Test solution; ri is the peak height for ephedrone obtained from the
Test solution; and
rS is the peak height for pseudoephedrine obtained from the
Standard solution. Calculate the percentage of any other impurities in the portion of Tablets taken by the formula:
100ri / (25rS + rT)
in which
ri is the individual peak area response for an individual unknown impurity in the
Test solution; 25 is the difference in concentration between the
Test solution and the
Reference solution; rS is the peak area response for fexofenadine

hydrochloride
4 obtained from the
Reference solution; and
rT is the sum of the peak area responses of all unknown impurities in the
Test solution. Disregard any peak below 0.05%.
Compound |
Relative Retention Time |
Acceptance Criteria |
Pseudoephedrine |
1.0 |
|
Ephedrone |
1.2a |
not more than 0.2% |
Fexofenadine |
1.0 |
|
Fexofenadine related compound A |
1.2b |
not more than 0.4% |
Decarboxylated degradant1 |
3.1b |
not more than 0.2% |
Tertiary dehydrated impurity2 4 |
1.8 |
not more than 0.2% |
Any individual other impurity |
|
not more than 0.2% 4 |
4 |
|
|
Total impurities |
|
not more than 0.8% |
a
Relative to pseudoephedrine.
b
Relative to fexofenadine.
1
(±)-4-(1-Hydroxy-4-[4-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1-piperidinyl]-butyl]-isopropylbenzene.
2
4-[4{4-(Diphenylmethylene)-1-piperidinyl}-1-hydroxybutyl]-2,2-dimethyl phenyl acetic acid.
4 |
Change to read:
Assay
Buffer solution
Dissolve 6.8 g of sodium acetate and 16.22 g of sodium 1-octanesulfonate in water, and dilute with water to 1 L. Adjust with glacial acetic acid to a pH of 4.6.
Mobile phase
Prepare a filtered and degassed mixture of methanol and
Buffer solution (65:35). Make adjustments if necessary (see
System Suitability under
Chromatography
621
).
System suitability preparation
Transfer an accurately weighed quantity, about 40 mg, of
USP Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride RS to a 50-mL volumetric flask. Add 5 mL of
tert-butylhydroperoxide solution, and sonicate. Cover the flask opening with aluminum foil, and place the flask in an oven at about 90

for 60 minutes. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool. Add 35 mL of
Mobile phase, and cool to room temperature. Dilute with
Mobile phase to volume, and mix. The degradation of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride by this process produces the related compound ephedrone.
Related compounds preparation
Dissolve accurately weighed quantities of
USP Fexofenadine Related Compound A RS and decarboxylated degradant
*
4 in a volume of methanol, and dilute quantitatively, and stepwise if necessary, with
Buffer solution to maintain a ratio of methanol and
Buffer solution (60:40). Dilute quantitatively, and stepwise if necessary, with methanol and
Buffer solution (60:40) to obtain a solution having known concentrations of 0.2 mg per mL for each component. Dilute 10.0 mL of this solution with
Mobile phase to 100 mL to obtain a final solution having known concentrations of 0.02 mg per mL for each component.
Standard stock preparation
Dissolve accurately weighed quantities of
USP Fexofenadine Hydrochloride RS and
USP Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride RS in
Mobile phase, and dilute quantitatively, and stepwise if necessary, with
Mobile phase to obtain a solution having known concentrations of about 0.4 mg per mL and 0.8 mg per mL of fexofenadine

hydrochloride
4 and pseudoephedrine

hydrochloride,
4 respectively.
Standard preparation
Dilute 6.0 mL of the Standard stock preparation and 15.0 mL of the Related compounds preparation with Mobile phase to 50 mL to obtain a solution having known concentrations of about 0.048 mg of fexofenadine hydrochloride per mL, 0.096 mg of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride per mL, 0.006 mg of fexofenadine related compound A per mL, and 0.006 mg of decarboxylated degradant per mL.
Assay stock preparation
Transfer not fewer than 10 whole Tablets to a 500-mL volumetric flask. Add 300 mL of methanol, and shake by mechanical means at high speed for 60 minutes. Sonicate the flask for 60 minutes at 40

. Add 150 mL of
Buffer solution, and sonicate for 60 minutes at 40

. Vent the flask, and vigorously shake the flask by hand at 15-minute intervals during the mechanical shaking and sonication steps. Cool to room temperature, and dilute with
Buffer solution to volume to obtain a solution containing approximately 1.2 mg of fexofenadine

hydrochloride
4 per mL and 2.4 mg of pseudoephedrine

hydrochloride
4 per mL. Pass a portion of this solution through a filter having a 0.45-µm or finer porosity, and use the filtrate.
Assay preparation
Dilute 4.0 mL of the
Assay stock preparation filtrate with
Mobile phase to 100 mL. The final concentrations of fexofenadine

hydrochloride
4 and pseudoephedrine

hydrochloride
4 are 0.048 mg per mL and 0.096 mg per mL, respectively.
Chromatographic system (see Chromatography
621
)
The liquid chromatograph is equipped with a 215-nm detector and a 4.6-mm × 5-cm column that contains 5-µm packing L6 connected in series to a 4.6-mm × 25-cm column that contains 5-µm packing L11. The flow rate is about 1.5 mL per minute. The column temperature is maintained at 35

. Chromatograph the
System suitability preparation as directed for
Procedure: the relative retention times are about 1.2 for ephedrone and 1.0 for pseudoephedrine; the resolution,
R, between pseudoephedrine and ephedrone is not less than 1.7; and the relative standard deviation for replicate injections is not more than 1.0% based on the pseudoephedrine peak. Chromatograph the
Standard preparation,
4 and record the peak responses as directed for
Procedure: the relative retention times are about 1.2 for fexofenadine related compound A, 3.1 for decarboxylated degradant, and 1.0 for fexofenadine; the resolution,
R, between fexofenadine and fexofenadine related compound A is not less than 2.0; and the relative standard deviation for replicate injections is not more than 1.0% based on the fexofenadine peak.
Procedure
Separately inject equal volumes (about 20 µL) of the
Standard preparation and
Assay preparation into the chromatograph, record the chromatograms, and measure the responses for the fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine peaks. Calculate the percentage of the label claim of fexofenadine hydrochloride (C
32H
39NO
4·HCl) and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (C
10H
15NO·HCl) in the portion of Tablets taken by the formula:
100(CS / CT)(rU / rS)
in which
CS is the concentration, in mg per mL, of either
USP Fexofenadine Hydrochloride RS or
USP Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride RS in the
Standard preparation; CT is the nominal concentration, in mg per mL, of either fexofenadine

hydrochloride
4 or pseudoephedrine

hydrochloride
4 in the
Assay preparation; and
rU and
rS are the peak responses obtained for either fexofenadine or pseudoephedrine from the
Assay preparation and the
Standard preparation, respectively.