Determination of stanozolol in tablets by derivative ultraviolet spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract

Two rapid assay procedures based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and derivative UV spectrophotometry have been developed for the specific determination of the anabolic steroid stanozolol in pharmaceutical formulations (tablets). The HPLC determination was carried out on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column using a mobile phase consisting of methanol-0.05 M aqueous ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (85 + 15) at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml min^–1 with UV detection at 230 nm. The procedures based on first-and second-derivative spectrophotometry have been shown to be able to suppress the background absorption due to excipients. The described HPLC and derivative spectrophotometric methods were comparable in terms of accuracy and precision and are a convenient alternative to the lengthy official USP methods for the rapid and reliable quality control of commercial stanozolol dosage forms.