pH effect on stability and kinetics degradation of nitazoxanide in solution

Stability studies correspond to a set of tests designed to assess changes in the quality of a given drug over time and under the influence of a number of factors. Among these factors, pH plays an important role, due to the catalytic effect that hydronium and hydroxide ions can play in several reactions. In the present study, the degradation kinetics of nitazoxanide was evaluated over a wide pH range, and the main degradation product generated was identified by LC-MS/MS. Nitazoxanide showed first-order degradation kinetics in the pH range of 0.01 to 10.0 showing greater stability between pH 1.0 and 4.0. The degradation rate constant calculated for these pH was 0.0885 x 10-2 min-1 and 0.0689 x 10-2 min-1, respectively. The highest degradation rate constant value was observed at pH 10.0 (0.7418 x 10-2 min-1) followed by pH 0.01 (0.5882 x 10-2 min-1). A major degradation product (DP-1) was observed in all conditions tested. Through LC-MS/MS analysis, DP-1 was identified as a product of nitazoxanide deacetylation. The effect of pH on the stability of nitazoxanide and the kinetic data obtained contribute to a better understanding of the intrinsic stability characteristics of nitazoxanide.