A validated stability indicating HPTLC method for simultaneous estimation of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide

INTRODUCTION: Irbesartan, a diazaspiro angiotensin II blocker, is marketed in combination with Hydrochlorothiazide, which is a diuretic acting on distal convoluted tubule; for synergistic anti-hypertensive action. The present study deals with development and validation of a stability indicating HPTLC method for simultaneous estimation of Irbesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide using TLC plates precoated with Silica gel 60F254 and the mobile phase comprising Acetonitrile: Chloroform in the ratio of 5:6 v/v. Irbesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide were well resolved with Rf 0.27 ± 0.03 and 0.45 ± 0.03, respectively. Wavelength selected for the quantization was 270 nm. Inherent stability of these drugs was studied by exposing both drugs to various stress conditions as per ICH guidelines viz. Dry heat, oxidative, photolysis (UV and cool white fluorescent light) and hydrolytic conditions under different pH values. RESULTS: Both the drugs were not degraded under dry heat and photolytic conditions, but showed degradation under hydrolytic condition. The degraded products of Irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide were well resolved from the individual bulk drug response. CONCLUSION: The developed method is found to be simple, specific, precise and stability indicating. The specificity of the method was confirmed by peak purity profile of the resolved peaks.