377 Original article doi: 10.12980/jclm.4.2016J5-230 ©2016 by the Journal of Coastal Life Medicine. All rights reserved. Degradation study of different brands of paracetamol by UV spectroscopy Safila Naveed 1* , Humera Ishaq 2 , Sheeba Urooj 1 1 Faculty of Pharmacy, Jinnah University for Women, Karachi, Pakistan 2 Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan Journal of Coastal Life Medicine 2016; 4(5): 377-379 Journal of Coastal Life Medicine *Corresponding author: Safila Naveed, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jinnah University for Women, Karachi, Pakistan. Tel: +923002621917 E-mail: safila117@yahoo.com, safila117@gmail.com The journal implements double-blind peer review practiced by specially invited international editorial board members. 1. Introduction One of the most common symptoms is pain and this is one of the most frequent reasons why people seek medical care. Therefore, it is not surprising that the analgesics are among the most widely used categories of drug. Hence, for the treatment of inflammation and pain, paracetamol is used, and chemically paracetamol (4-hydroxyacetanilide) is used. Paracetamol is a weak peripheral cycloxygenase inhibitor and from the inhibition of prostanoid synthesis in the central nervous system, analgesic effect of paracetamol may arise. Antipyretic effect of paracetamol is reported to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis at the level of the hypothalamus causing alteration in body temperature[1]. UV spectrophotometric method used for forced degradation studies have not been reported in Pakistan. In many laboratories, spectrophotometric method was used due to less equipment cost and economical maintenance advantages. By the help of this technique, the UV absorbance spectra are measured at 200–380 nm. In accordance with the International Conference on Harmonization guideline, the force degradation state of active pharmaceutical substance includes acidic, basic and photolytic conditions. For the estimation of forced degradation of a pharmaceutical ingredient, acid/base stress testing is performed. By exposure to acidic or basic medium over time to its chief degradation products, this test involves degradation of a drug substance. Acid/base hydrolysis take place in labile carbonyl functional groups which are amides (lactams), esters (lactones), aryl amines, imides, imines alcohols and carbamates. The technique is employed to recognize the raise in the degradation product and the consequent loss of pharmaceutical active component i.e. forced degradation is capable to indicate that the selected technique is a representative of stability[2]. The objective of this study was to analyze forced degradation studies by treating the different brands of bromazepam under hydrolytic (acidic and basic), photolytic and thermal stress ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Objective: To investgate the forced degradation study for the determination of degradation of the drug substance. Methods: Paracetamol was exposed to different conditions according to International Conference on Harmonization guideline. The amount of degradation product can be calculated with the help of UV spectrophotometer. The official test limits according to British Pharmacopoeia/United States Pharmacopoeia should not less than and should not more than lapelled amount. Forced degradation of drug substance was exposed to acidic and basic medium of panadol. Forced degradation of drug substance of panadol, disprol and calpol were also observed negligible difference in availability on exposure to UV and heat. This method can be used successfully for studying the stress degradation factors. Because this method is less time consuming and simple and cost effective also. Results: The brands i.e. calpol, panadol and disprol, when they come in contact with different degradation parameters (before, acid, base, heat and UV treatments) according to statistical analysis, the result showed significant values (P < 0.05) which indicated that there was no degradation in any of the brand. Conclusions: The result indicated there is no degradation found in these brands. Keywords: Paracetamol Degradation studies Different brands Spectrophotometer journal homepage: www.jclmm.com Article history: Received 19 Nov 2015 Received in revised form 26 Nov, 2nd revised form 22 Dec 2015, 3rd revised form 3 May 2016 Accepted 15 May 2016 Available online 20 May 2016