Investigation of degradation products in a topical gel containing erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Benzamycin®, combining benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin, is a topical gel used in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Because of the reactivity of benzoyl peroxide, preparations containing both erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide might be unstable and degradation products could be formed. To investigate and identify these latter products, a gradient-based liquid chromatographic method using volatile mobile phase constituents was developed. Mass spectrometry data were acquired on solutions containing erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide and on freshly prepared, 2-month-old and 18-month-old samples of Benzamycin®. With the reference spectra as interpretative templates, it was concluded that erythromycin undergoes oxidation, followed by benzoylation.