Simultaneous determination of codeine and ethyl morphine HCL in tablet formulations using LC

A reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was de veloped for the simultaneous determination or codeine (methyl morphine) and dionin (ethyl morphine hydrochloride) in antitussive analgesic tablet form ulations. A C-18 column and methanol-water (1:2) mixture mobile phase (pH 3 .0) were used. Spectrophotometric detection was carried out at 210 nm. The total elution time was shorter than 7 min. This method was found to be quit e precise and reproducible. This proposed method was successfully applied t o the determination of codeine and ethyl morphine hydrochloride in tablets produced by the Turkish Army Drug Factory. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.