Stability indicating assays for the determination of piroxicam--comparison of methods

Photodegradation of piroxicam, a 1,2-benzothiazine oxicam, is studied laying special emphasis on the investigation of the correlation between concentration of the sample solution and stability. A comparison of three different methods (HPTLC/densitometry, HPLC, CE) developed for the photostability testing of the title compound is presented. The stability indicating capability of the assays is proved using forced degradation by exposing a sample solution to artificial irradiation from a xenon source. The chromatograms and the electropherogram of the resulting solution show piroxicam well resolved from the degradation products. For quantitation external calibration is employed, all calibration curves being linear in the respective concentration range of interest. Piroxicam solutions of three different concentrations (2 mg ml(-1); 250 microg ml(-1); 40 microg ml(-1)) are subjected to simulated sunlight for 480 min. The stability is investigated by quantitation of piroxicam by the methods mentioned. The methods are compared in respect of performance and precision. Costs and time of analysis are regarded also.