Determination of bethanechol by ion chromatography

Dionex has published a new application note, 'Determination of bethanechol by ion chromatography'.

The document, application note 148, describes the separation and detection of bethanechol and 2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl-ammonium (2-HPTA) using the IonPac CS14 column with 20mM methane sulphonic acid (MSA) and suppressed conductivity detection.

Bethanechol and 2-HPTA (the product of bethanechol hydrolysis in alkaline solution) were shown to be well resolved from the common inorganic cations that may be present as inactive ingredients in pharmaceuticals.

Dionex achieved excellent reproducibility of the analytes' retention times using eluent generation to continuously generate MSA on-line.

Application note 148 is Dionex's suggested improvement to the method published in the US Pharmacopeia (USP) 24 NF 19 (page 230).

This method proposes replacing the traditional gravimetric assay for bethanechol chloride with a more specific and rugged ion chromatography assay that measures stability.

Bethanechol chloride is a quaternary ammonium compound that is structurally and pharmacologically related to acetylcholine.

It is administered either as an injection or tablet for the treatment of urinary retention.