Int. J. Chem. Sci.

: 7(1), 2009, 235-237

SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC ESTIMATION OF
ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE IN PHARMACEUTICAL
DOSAGE FORMS
YOGITA SHETE∗, NAYANA PIMPODKARa, N. S. MAHAJANa,
Y. V. PORE, R. L. JADHAVa and B. S. KUCHEKAR

Government College of Pharmacy, Vidyanagar, KARAD – 415214 (M. S.) Dist. Satara INDIA
a
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Satara College of Pharmacy, SATARA (M. S.) INDIA

ABSTRACT
A simple, sensitive, rapid, accurate and precise spectrophotometric method has been developed
for estimation of escitalopram oxalate in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage forms. Escitalopram oxalate
shows maximum absorbance at 284 nm with molar absorptivity of 2.249 × 103 L/mol. cm. Beer’s law
was obeyed in the concentration range of 20-120 µg/mL. Results of analysis were validated statistically
and by recovery studies.

Keywords : Escitalopram oxalate, Spectrophotometric method

INTRODUCTION

Escitalopram oxalate is chemically known as S (+)-1-[3-(dimethyl-amino) propyl]-

1-(p-fluorophenyl) - 5- phthalancarbonitrile and it is an orally administered selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor. (SSRI)1. It is indicated for major depressive disorders and
generalized anxiety disorders2,3. It is official in Merck index and Martindale. Only
chromatographic methods have been developed for estimation of the drug. No ultraviolet
method has been reported for estimation of drug in pharmaceutical dosage form4.

The objective of this study was to develop simple, rapid, accurate and specific
spectrophotometric method for the estimation of escitalopram oxalate using UV
spectrophotometer. The simple method was developed using solvent distilled water with
minimum processing steps. The λmax of escitalopram oxalate in distilled water was found to
be 284 nm and Beer’s law was obeyed in the range of 20-120 µg/mL. The result of analysis
was validated statistically and by recovery studies; thus, this method of estimation of

∗
Author for correspondence; Email : pnayanv@yahoo.co.in
236 Y. Shete et al.: Spectrophotometric….

escitalopram oxalate was found to be simple, precise and accurate.

EXPERIMENTAL

A Shimadzu 1700 UV spectrophotometer with 1 cm matched cuvettes was used for

estimation. Standard solution of drug, 200 µg/mL was prepared in distilled water.

Sample solution: Twenty tablets of escitalopram oxalate were weighed and

powered in glass mortar. Amount equivalent to 20 mg was transferred to 100 mL
volumetric flask, dissolved and made up the volume with distilled water.

Aliquots of 1 to 10 mL portions of standard solution were transferred to a series of

10 mL Corning test tubes and volume in each test tube was adjusted to 10 mL with
distilled water. The absorbance of solutions was measured at 284 nm against distilled water
as a blank and calibration curve was constructed. Similarly, absorbance of sample solution
was measured and amount of escitalopram oxalate was determined by referring to the
calibration curve. Recovery studies were carried out by adding a known quantity of pure
drug to the preanalyzed formulation and the proposed method was followed. From the
amount of drug found, percentage recovery was calculated.

RESULTS AND DISSCUSION

The proposed method of determination of escitalopram oxalate showed molar

absorptivity of 2.249 × 103 L/mol. cm and Sandell’s sensitivity 0.18426 mcg/cm2/0.001-
absorbance units. Linear regression of absorbance on concentration gave the equation
y = 0.00542 x + 0.01373 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9995.Relative standard
deviation of 0.00104 was observed for analysis of three replicate samples, indicating
precision and reproducibility.

Table 1 : Results of analysis and recovery studies

Label S. C. O. V.
Formulations % Estimated S. E. % Recovery
claim D. (%)
Rescita 20 20 100.57 0.08 0.08 0.04 100.8
Nexito 10 10 101.08 0.77 0.77 0.45 99.9
Szetalo 10 10 99.6 0.67 0.68 0.39 99.9
S. D. : Standard deviation, S. E : Standard error, C. O. V. : Coefficient of variation
Int. J. Chem. Sci.: 7(1), 2008 237

Escitalopram oxalate exhibits its maximum absorption at 284 nm and obeyed

Beer’s law in the range of 20-120 µg/mL. The results of analysis and recovery studies are
presented in the Table 1. The percentage recovery value 99-101%, which indicates that
there is no interference from the excipients present in formulation. The developed method
was found to be sensitive, accurate, precise and reproducible and can be used for the
routine quality control analysis of escitalopram oxalate in bulk drugs and formulations.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are grateful to Sun Pharmaceuticals India Ltd, Ankleshwar for providing gift
sample of drug for research work. We thank the Principal, Govt. College of Pharmacy,
Karad for providing laboratory facility and constant encouragement.

REFERENCES
1. S. C. Sweetman, (Eds.) Martindale : The Complete Drug Reference, 33rd Edn., The
Pharmaceutical Press, London (2000) p. 281.3
2. http: //www. rxlist. com/cgi/generic/lexapro_cp. htm
3. G. Ursula and M. R. Katharina, Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (2003)
12, 41, 1571.
4. www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/entrez/query.
fcgi?cmd=Retrieveanddb=pubmedlistuids=15522722anddopt=Abstract citalopram
Escitalopram Lexapro.

Revised : 25.10.2008 Accepted : 01.11.2008