Developing a Validated HPLC Method for Quantification of Ceftazidime Employing Analytical Quality by Design and Monte Carlo Simulations

Ceftazidime, a third-generation cephalosporin, is widely used in the treatment of lung infections, often given as "off-label" nebulization. There is need for developing a sensitive and robust analytical method to compute aerodynamic properties of ceftazidime following nebulization. The current study entails development of a simple, accurate and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC) for ceftazidime estimation, employing the principles of analytical quality-by-design (AQbD) and Monte Carlo simulations. Selection of critical material attributes (CMAs) affecting method performance was accomplished by factor screening exercise. Subsequently, the influential CMAs, i.e., mobile phase ratio and flow rate, were systemically optimized using a face-centred cubic design for the chosen critical analytical attributes (CAAs). The factor relationship(s) between CMAs and CAAs was explored employing 3 D-response surface and 2 D-contour plots, followed by numerical as well as graphical optimization, for establishing the optimal chromatographic conditions. The obtained method operable design region was validated by Monte Carlo simulations for defect rate analysis. The optimized HPLC conditions for estimating ceftazidime were acetonitrile to acetic acid solution (75:25) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min, leading to Rt of 4.5 min and peak tailing ≤ 2. Validation studies, as per ICH Q2(R1) guidance's, demonstrated high sensitivity, accuracy and efficiency of the developed analytical method with LOD of 0.075 and LOQ of 0.227 µg/mL. Application of this chromatographic method was extrapolated for determining aerodynamic performance by nebulizing ceftazidime at flow rate of 15 L/min using next-generation impactor. The study indicated superior performance, sensitivity and specificity of the developed analytical system for quantifying ceftazidime. Application of AQbD approach, coupled with Monte Carlo simulations, aided in developing a robust HPLC method for estimation of ceftazidime per se and on various stages of impactor.