Das et al., IJPSR, 2012; Vol. 3(1): 177-181 ISSN: 0975-8232 Available online on www.ijpsr.com 177 IJPSR (2012), Vol. 3, Issue 1 (Research Article) Received on 06 September, 2011; received in revised form 25 December, 2011; accepted 29 December, 2011 RAPID CHROMATOGRAPHIC AND SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF CITALOPRAM IN RELEVANCE TO PHARMACEUTICAL ANALYSIS R. S. Das*, Y. K. Agrawal and P. Prajapati Institute of Research and Development, Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Sector- 18/A, Near Police Bhawan, Gandhinagar – 382007, Gujarat, India ABSTRACT This paper describes the study to measure the sensitivity and accuracy of two techniques, chromatography and spectrophotometry for the direct determination of citalopram in pharmaceutical formulations. Chromatography was performed on SE-30 column (1 m × 3 mm i.d) using Nitrogen as a carrier gas (flow rate of 40 ml/min), having retention time of 12.8 min. Calibration curve was found linear in the range of 200-400 µg/ml. LOD and LOQ values were found as 1.1726 µg/ml and 3.5535 µg/ml respectively and the recoveries were in the range of 98.36–100.07%. In spectrophotometry method the absorption spectra were measured at 240 nm for standard and tablets form. Calibration curve was found linear in the range of 2-4 µg/ml. LOD and LOQ values were found as 40.59 ng/ml and 123.0 ng/ml respectively. Recoveries were in the range of 98.53–100.78%. The experimental results obtained indicate that the above proposed methods are specific, sensitive and accurate for the determination of citalopram in pharmaceutical formulations. These methods were also compared statistically and found that there was no significant difference between the two methods in terms of accuracy and precision. Whilst, the chromatographic method developed will applicable for its detection in biological matrices also. INTRODUCTION: Citalopram (CIT) [(RS)- 1- [3- (dimethyl amino)propyl]-1-(4- fluorophenyl)-1, 3- dihydroiso benzofuran-5-carbonitrile] (Fig. 1) is a widely used antidepressant comes under the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) having broad spectrum of therapeutic activity against depressive disorders 1 . It exerts effect through a selective inhibition for reuptake of neurotransmitter serotonin by the pre-synaptic receptors. It is prescribed in the treatment of related disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, social phobia, and posttraumatic stress, but has many concentrations dependent adverse effects also 2 . Thus it is worthy to develop a sensitive, rapid and reliable method for their determination in pharmaceutical formulations. Citalopram is comparable to the tri-cyclic antidepressants in their clinical efficacy, but because of its favourable pharmacological profile, considered safe, potent and well-tolerated drug 3 . This makes it most widespread prescribed antidepressant all over the world. Thus, it is worthy to develop a sensitive, rapid and reliable method for their determination in pharmaceutical formulations. Correspondence to Author: R. S. Das Research Scholar, Institute of Research and Development, Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Sector- 18/A, Gandhinagar- 382007, Gujarat, India Keywords: Citalopram chromatography, Spectrophotometry, analysis, Pharmaceutical formulations