New colorimetric methods for the determination of trazodone HCl, famotidine, and diltiazem HCl in their pharmaceutical dosage forms

Two sensitive and simple spectrophotometric methods are developed for the determination of trazodone HCl, famotidine, and diltiazem HCl in pure and pharmaceutical preparations. The methods are based on the oxidation of the cited drugs with iron(III) in acidic medium. The liberated iron(II) reacts with 1,10-phenanthroline (method A) and the ferroin complex is colorimetrically measured at 510 nm against reagent blank. Method B is based on the reaction of the liberated Fe(II) with 2,2-bipyridyl to form a stable colored complex with lambda(max) at 520 nm. Optimization of the experimental conditions was described. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration range of 1-5, 2-12, and 12-32 mug mL(-1) for trazodone, famotidine, and diltiazem with method A, and 1-10 and 8-16 mug mL(-1) for trazodone and famotidine with method B. The apparent molar absorptivity for method A is 1.06x10(5), 2.9x10(4), 1.2x10(4) and for method B is 9.4x10(4) and 1.6x10(4), respectively. The suggested procedures could be used for the determination of trazodone, famotidine, and diltiazem, both in pure and dosage forms without interference from common excipients.