Advantages of the Use of Very Short and Ultra Short Hplc Columns for Drug Analysis in Dissolution Testing

Abstract

The advantages of short (3–5cm long) or ultra short (4mm long) HPLC columns for drug analysis in dissolution testing are illustrated by reference to some example antihypertensive drug formulations. Advantages include: selectivity, where interfering excipients or co-formulated drugs complicate UV spectrophotometric analysis: time savings, compared with conventional HPLC columns (although where UV spectrophotometry is applicable no time advantages may be obtained with short column HPLC): economy, as the columns are less expensive than conventional columns and there is reduced solvent consumption: increased sensitivity compared with conventional columns. Low dose potent. drugs with poor chromophores may be more readily quantitated: amenity to automation, including the use of laboratory robots. These advantages would suggest the wide applicability to this mode of analysis in dissolution testing.