Major degradation product identified in several pharmaceutical formulations against the common cold
Abstract:
Different pharmaceutical preparations against the common cold contain acetaminophen, phenylephrine hydrochloride, and chlorpheniramine maleate. A degradation product had been discovered in these preparations after short- and long-term stability studies. This degradation product was isolated and found to be an adduct of phenylephrine and maleic acid. An account of the isolation and characterization of this compound was published. Our interest in this area led us to synthesize the compound, and we found that the synthesized compound does not have the same spectroscopic properties described in the original paper. Our subsequent work identified the structure of the degradation product as a "Michael addition" product of phenylephrine and maleic acid.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Decongestants
Most decongestants are readily available over-the-counter in various...
Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Polymorphism, Amorphism and Pseudopolymorphism
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Stability-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...

