A sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of desloratadine in tablets

A simple, rapid, and sensitive visible spectrophotometric method was developed, for the first time, for analysis of desloratadine (DE) in tablets. The method is based on the deep-blue colored TCNQ*- radical anion formed by interaction of the drug (n-donor) with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ, pi-acceptor) in acetonitrile at ambient temperature. Optimum conditions for the reaction were investigated, absorbances were read at 843 nm, and the linearity range for concentrations of DE was found to be 1.5-13 microg/mL. The reaction product remains stable up to 8 h when kept at room temperature in the dark. The developed method was validated and successfully applied to the determination of DE in tablets. The tablets were also analyzed with a column liquid chromatography method reported in literature. The results from both methods were statistically compared by t- and F-tests. No significant difference was found for the means and standard deviations at 95% confidence level. Accuracy was examined through recovery studies. Being very simple and reliable, the method can be recommended for routine quality control analysis of DE in tablets.