HPLC Analysis of Motrin Cough & Cold Composition

Motrin is cough and cold composition manufactured by McNeil PPC. It contains ibuprofen as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (N-SAID) and pseudoephedrine as decongestant. Ibuprofen is hydrophobic acidic molecule and pseudoephedrine hydrophilic molecule. Pseudoephedrine does not retained well in reversed phase chromatography and requires the use of ion-pairing reagent. In the absence of ion-pairing reagent pseudoephedrine comes close to the void of the column even at low concentrations of acetonitrile, while ibuprofen shows strong retention by reversed-phase mechanism. Different properties of these two molecules require gradient elution and consequent equilibration of the column. In contrast when mixed-mode HPLC column, like Primesep 100, is used, the method can be isocratic, very short with no equilibration of the column. Ibuprofen is retained by strong reversed-phase mechanism and pseudoephedrine is retained by weak reversed-phase and strong cation-exchange mechanisms on Primesep 100 column. Retention time of hydrophobic molecule is controlled by amount of acetonitrile, and retention of hydrophilic basic molecule is controlled by the amount of buffer and buffer pH. Method can be UV, ELSD and LC/MS compatible with various additives to the mobile phase (TFA, ammonium formate or acetate, sulphate or phosphate buffers at various pH). This mixed-mode column can be used for analysis of other OTC drugs including mixtures of basic, acidic and hydrophobic compounds.

Application Column

Primesep 100

The Primesep family of mixed-mode columns offers a wide variety of stationary phases, boasting unprecedented selectivity in the separation of a broad array of chemical compounds across multiple applications. Corresponding Primesep guard columns, available with all stationary phases, do not require holders. SIELC provides a method development service available to all customers. Inquire about our specially-tailored custom LC-phases for specific separations.

Select options
Application Analytes:
Ibuprofen
Motrin
Pseudoephedrine (PSE)

Application Detection:
ELSD Detection
UV Detection
SIELC Technologies usually develops more than one method for each compound. Therefore, this particular method may not be the best available method from our portfolio for your specific application. Before you decide to implement this method in your research, please send us an email to research@sielc.com so we can ensure you get optimal results for your compound/s of interest.