Simple HPLC method for simultaneous determination of acetaminophen, caffeine and chlorpheniramine maleate in tablet formulations

A simple, rapid and accurate, routine-HPLC method is described for simultaneous determination of acetaminophen, caffeine and chlorpheniramine maleate in a new tablet formulation. Chromatographic separation of the three pharmaceuticals was achieved on a Hypersil CN column (150 x 5.0 mm, 5 mum) using a mobile phase comprising a mixture of acetonitrile, an ion-pair solution and tetrahydrofuran (13:14:87 v/v, pH 4.5). The flow-rate was changed from 1.0 mL min(-1) (in 0 similar to 7.5 min) to 1.8 mL min(-1) (after 3.5 min). Detection was 223 nm. Separation was complete in < 10 min. The method was validated for system suitability, linearity, accuracy, precision, limits of detection and quantitation, and robustness. Linearity, accuracy and precision were found to be acceptable over the ranges 31.6 similar to 315.8 mug mL(-1) for acetaminophen, 9.5 similar to 94.6 mug mL(-1) for caffeine and 1.4 similar to 13.8 mug mL(-1) for chlorpheniramine maleate.