Short Term Monitor of Photodegradation Processes in Ranitidine Hydrochloride Observed by FTIR and ATR-FTIR

  M. JAMRÓGIEWICZ*, J. ŁUKASIAK

Faculty of Pharmacy, Physical Chemistry Department, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-416 Gdansk, Hallera 107, Poland

(Received: March 25, 2009; Accepted: September 28, 2009)

ABSTRACT

The effects of degradation of ranitidine hydrochloride exposed to UVB radiation (λ = 310 nm) and oxygen in a weathering chamber were studied by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). ATR-FTIR profile indicated that the degradation was spatially heterogeneous. Significant amounts of photoproducts were detected only in a directly irradiated layer. Major damage/change was reflected in the appearance of broad, extended group of signals near the wavenumber 3600-3200 cm-1 or/and 3500-3400 cm-1. We examined whether FTIR-ATR technique is a great tool to observe the simplest and the first changes on the surface of a substance in powder.

Key words: photodegradation, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, ATR, ranitidine hydrochloride