Photochemical degradation of solid-state nisoldipine monitored by HPLC

The photochemical degradation of solid-state nisoldipine, 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, was investigated under daylight and UV light conditions. Degradation products were identified by using the retention times of corresponding standards and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatographic method. The daylight illumination induced appearance of nitrosophenylpyridine, while formation of second degradation product, nitrophenylpyridine, was observed only upon UV light illumination. The photodegradation kinetics of solid-state nisoldipine under daylight and UV light illumination belongs to class of zero-order reactions. The rate constants of disappearance of nisoldipine upon illumination were determined for raw material as well as pharmaceuticals (tablets, film-tablets and capsules).