PHYSIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOME PAEDIATRIC FORMULATIONS OF ARTEMETHER - LUMEFANTRINE PRESCRIBED FOR UNCOMPLICATED PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM MALARIA

Physicochemical properties bothering on the quality of powder for paediatric suspension (PPS) of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) were evaluated. The moisture content, viscosity, total solid and chemical contents were determined. The assay was analyzed simultaneously for artemether and lumefantrine using high pressure liquid chromatography (chromosil C18 column/ UV detection at 216 nm). Acetonitrile: 25 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate (70: 30%, v/v) and nevirapine served as mobile phase and internal standard, respectively. Statistical analysis was done using students t-test to compare the parameters for the products at CI, 95%. The artemether and lumefantrine contents varied from 40.3-112.54% and 71.9 - 91.4%, respectively. The range of values (mean) of moisture content, viscosity, pH and total solid were 2.9-6.9 (4.68)% , 99.1-193.8(124.7) mPa.s, 3.5-7.8 (4.7) and 93.1- 97.1 (95.3) %, respectively. The results showed statistical different outcomes (P < 0.05). PPS products sampled vary widely in their physicochemical properties.