Simultaneous Determination of Artemether and Azithromycin in Suppositories by Reversed Phase HPLC

Chromatographic parameter assessments for RP-HPLC-UV method development for the simultaneous analysis of artemether and azithromycin for the pharmaceutical analysis of a rectal coformulation currently under development for the treatment of malaria infected children. Using methanol based mobile phase for the analysis of both artemether and azithromycin provided a more robust method in terms of resolution and peak symmetry. The method validated for suppository used 80% methanol and 20% phosphate buffer 15 mM at pH 9. The UV detection was at 210 nm. The accuracy profiles indicated a method validation between 80–120% for both active pharmaceutical ingredients. The preparation process of the suppository was validated based on theoretical values of artemether and azithromycin present in the formulation; active pharmaceutical ingredients were homogenously distributed within the suppository.