HPLC analysis, isolation and identification of a new degradation product in carvedilol tablets

Carvedilol (CV) is an antagonist of α1 and β1,β2 membrane adrenoceptors and also a modulator of cardiac electrophysiological properties. It is widely prescribed for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. During stability testing of CV solid dosage forms an unknown degradation product referred as UP, exceeded the identification thresholds of ICH Q3B guidelines. The HPLC analysis of the detected unknown product was performed by a newly, developed, specific and validated method, also suitable for the quantitative determination of the known CV impurities (imp B, C, E and F) and the other degradation products. The separation was achieved with an X-terra C18 column, using acetonitrile–phosphate buffer pH 2.5 as mobile phase. The isolation of UP was carried out by semi-preparative chromatography method, followed by deep freezing of the collected fractions until the organic and the aqueous phases were separated. Chromatographic behaviour of CV and UP was compared, in mobile phases of different pH and gave valuable information concerning the dissimilarities of their ionization. UP was further studied by MS and 1H NMR spectrometry, revealing structural similarities with the parent molecule. Finally, the unknown peak of degradation product was attributed to a new compound generated from the interaction of CV molecule and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) in the presence of water molecules. Moisture and temperature was proved to affect the formation of UP and its concentration in CV tablets. Appropriate modifications of the packaging of CV tablets can be made in order to reduce UP concentration down to the accepted levels, during the tablets’ shelf life.