Determination of terbutaline based on oxidation by voltammetry

A voltammetric study of the oxidation of terbutaline has been carried out at an activated glassy carbon electrode. The compound was oxidized irreversibly at high positive potential. The response was evaluated with respect to pH, scan rate, nature of the buffer and other variables. The peak current, at about 0.8 V (versus a saturated calomel electrode), was proportional to the terbutaline concentration in the range of 8 x 10(-6)-8 x 10(-4) M in phosphate buffer pH 6.0. This method was applied, without any interferences from the excipients, to determine the drug in a tablet dosage form.