Synthesis and application of a molecularly imprinted polymer for the voltammetric determination of famciclovir

•MIP modified carbon paste was prepared for famciclovir.•Computational studies for the pre-polymerization mixture binding energy was tested.•The optimum ratio of IMP for FCV and MAA is (1:4).•A linear response was obtained in the range of 2.5×10−6–1.0×10−3 M.•MIP was applied for voltammetric assay of FCV in pure solutions and dosage form.

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized and applied as additive within a carbon paste electrode for the cyclic voltammetric determination of famciclovir (FCV). Complementary computational studies were performed to study the intermolecular interactions in the pre-polymerization mixture. Derived from the computational studies, four MIP ratios were synthesized and their performance was evaluated using equilibrium rebinding assays. The MIP with the highest binding capacity was selected. A linear response was obtained in the range of 2.5×10−6–1.0×10−3 M with a limit of detection at 7.5×10−7 M. Finally, the developed MIP–voltammetry system was successfully applied for the determination of FCV in pure solutions and pharmaceutical preparations.