Optimization of RP-HPLC Assay for Pharmaceutical Analysis of Clopidogrel

An accurate, sensitive, precise and stability-indicating reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method for the analysis of clopidogrel bisulfate was developed and validated. The chromatographic conditions comprised of a reversible phase C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of 50 mM potassium di-hydrogen phosphate and acetonitrile in the ratio of 75:25 at pH 3.0 adjusted with phosphoric acid. The flow rate was 1ml/min, the detection was carried out at 247 nm and the retention time of clopidogrel was 6.5 min. Clopidogrel was subjected to acid and alkali hydrolysis, oxidation and photodegradation. The method was validated for accuracy, precision and robustness. The results indicate that the drugs are susceptible to degradation in different conditions. All the peaks of degraded products were resolved from the active pharmaceutical ingredient with significant different retention times. As the method could effectively separate the drug from its degradation products, it could be employed as a stability-indicating method.