Quality Evaluation of Some Brands of Amoxicillin Capsules Dispensed in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Emeka C. Ogoko*, Henrietta I. Kelle1 and Gana J. Babaman

The efficacy of amoxicillin drug depends on the concentration of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, which is amoxicillin trihydrate. Amoxicillin also contains gelatin, carmoisine, quinoline yellow, titanium dioxide and iron oxide yellow. Some reports on the production and distribution of adulterated drugs have been recorded in several parts of Nigeria. This study investigated the quality of amoxicillin obtained from some patent drug stores in Lagos state, Nigeria. Analysis of weight uniformity, and disintegration were performed using standard methods. Determinations of the concentration of active pharmaceutical ingredient and heavy
metals in amoxicillin samples were assayed through the employment of a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) instrument respectively. Analytical results obtained, revealed that the weight of twenty samples of amoxicillin were within the compendia specification for uniformity of weight. The disintegration rates ranged from 4.01±0.3 to 7.13±0.2 minutes and were also within the permissible limits of ≤15 minutes. The percentage compositions of amoxicillin in the various analysed brands ranged from 91.2 to 100.4%, which are also within the recommended limits. The heavy metals concentrations in amoxicillin were within the permitted limit of ≤ 20 ppm. The results of this study revealed that the ten brands of amoxicillin samples analysed, conformed to the standard recommended limits and may not constitute medical threats beyond the expected range