Quantification of tamoxifen in pharmaceutical formulations using micellar liquid chromatography

This paper describes a micellar liquid chromatographic method used to analyze tamoxifen (TAMO) in pharmaceutical formulations, while focusing in its interesting features. Solid samples were solved in a micellar solution, irradiated at 254 nm, filtered and injected. Extraction steps were avoided and thus expediting the procedure. Tamoxifen was resolved in <5 min, using a mobile phase containing 0.15 M sodium dodecyl sulfate-7% pentanol at pH 3, running at 1.5 mL/min under an isocratic mode at 40°C through a C18 column. Detection was achieved by fluorescence by excitation at 260 nm and emission at 380 nm. The validation was performed following the requirements of the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Tripartite Guidelines in terms of: specificity, sensitivity, calibration range (0.2 - 20 mg/L), accuracy (98.8 - 101.7%), precision (<1.5%) and robustness (<6.2%). The method was applied to quantify TAMO in TAMO citrate tablets supplied in Spain, and was found appropriate for the quality control of TAMO formulations.