Static headspace gas chromatography of (semi-)volatile drugs in pharmaceuticals for topical use

An analytical method that allows simultaneous analysis of some (semi-)volatile drugs and additives in pharmaceuticals for topical use was developed using classical static headspace as sampling technique combined with gas chromatography (HS-GC). The capillary column used, RSL-200, showed good selectivity towards all the analytes in the samples investigated. Among the different dilution media investigated, dimethyl sulfoxide in combination with sodium chloride solution showed better sensitivity. Using the optimized headspace sample dilution medium, better sensitivities for all the analytes were achieved at low thermostatting temperature (85 °C). The optimized HS-GC method with flame ionization detection showed good repeatability, linearity and accuracy.