Simultaneous determination of compounds in Septalen® pellets by derivative spectrophotometry

In this paper, a second-derivative spectrophotometric method of assaying Septalen ® pellets (Krka, Novo Mesto, Slovenia), which contain lidocaine 1 mg, and cetrimoniumbromide 2mg, is described. Lidocaine, 2-(diethylamino)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-acetamide, is a local anesthetic with pronounced antiarhythmic and anticonvulsant properties. Cetrimonium bromide,N,N,N-trimethyl-l-hexadecanaminium bromide, is a topical antiseptic and cleansing agent. Lidocaine was determined at 250 nm using the "zero crossing" technique because the signals of centrimonium bromide and the colour ingredient are zero at this wavelength. Cetrimonium bromide was determined by correction of the peak amplitude at 215 nm according to lidocaine. In choosing the optimal magnitudes for the simultaneous determination of both drugs, the following criteria were considered: (1) the linearity of the calibration graphs as given by the correlation coefficients, (2) the intercept, (3) the sensitivity as given by the regression coefficient, (4) the degree of interference in the derivative measurement by the presence of the other compound, as given by the relative percent error and by the relative recovery, and (5) the reproducibility, as given by the coefficient of variation, calculated by recording the second-derivative spectra.