Comparative Study of the Physical Characteristics of Some Commercially Available Brands of Amoxicillin Capsules

Aim: To assess the quality of 10 brands of Amoxicillin Trihydrate 500 mg capsules.
Study Design: Experimental.
Place and Duration of Study: Experimental drugs were purchased from pharmacy in Okada and Benin and experimental work was carried out in Pharmaceutical Technology laboratory, Igbinedion University Okada
Methodology: A specific quality control method was developed for the determination and comparative study of the capsules and the quality was assessed through evaluation of organoleptic properties, uniformity of weight, disintegration, dissolution using the spectrophotometric method, moisture uptake as well as comparing analytical method (titration) and HPLC method for the determination of content uniformity. All the brands have suitable appearance.
Results: 7 brands passed the weight variation test, 9 brands passed the content uniformity test with HPLC method being faster and accurate, all the brands passed the disintegration test, 6 brands passed the dissolution test and for moisture uptake, 2 brands had a rapid increase in weight.
Conclusion: From the results obtained, it can be said that the majority of the commercially available brands of amoxicillin trihydrate are up to pharmaceutical standard of quality and are safe for use by consumers.