Identification of Degradation Products of Ampicillin Cloxacillin via Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Description:
Recognizing pharmaceutical degradation, often a result of poor storage conditions, is crucial to understanding underdosed pharmaceuticals. The degradation products of the combination antibiotic ampicillin cloxacillin in the presence of heat and humidity are yet to be identified. By exposing high-purity ampicillin and cloxacillin to high temperatures and humidity (simulating real-world environmental conditions), this degradation can be forced in a laboratory setting. The identification of the degradation products was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry against standards. Initial results show cloxacillin is easily degraded with heat while ampicillin is more stable. Long exposure to high heat can result in the degradation of ampicillin while both heat and exposure to water results in cloxacillin degradation. Ampicillin-cloxacillin capsules collected from Nepal were analyzed using an optimized liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Degradation products found in Nepali ampicillin-cloxacillin capsules correspond to those observed in laboratory-degraded samples.