Photodegradation studies on Atenolol by liquid chromatography

The photostability of the beta-blocker drug Atenolol was evaluated at pH 9, 7.4 and 4.0. The drug was exposed to UVA-UVB radiations and the photoproducts were detected by reversed phase LC methods. The photodegradation was found to increase with the pH value decreasing. The major photodegradation product at pH 7.4 was identified as 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide. The LC method developed for routine analyses (column: C-18 Alltima; mobile phase: TEA acetate (pH 4; 0.01 M)-acetonitrile 96:4) was found to be suitable for the stability indicating determination of Atenolol in pharmaceutical dosage forms.