Optimization of an HPLC method for determination of gabapentin in dosage forms through derivatization with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene.

A rapid, sensitive and accurate high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection method was developed and validated for the quantification of gabapentin in dosage forms. Gabapentin was quantified after pre-column derivatization with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Amlodipine was used as an internal standard. The chromatographic separation was carried out on a Nova-Pak C(18) column using a mixture of acetonitrile-sodium dihydrogenphosphate (pH 2.5; 0.05 M) (70:30, v/v) as mobile phase with UV detection at 360 nm. The method was linear over the range of 10-500 microg/ml of gabapentin (r(2)>0.999). The within-day and between-day precision values were in the range of 0.86-1.11%. The method was successfully used for quantitative determination and dissolution rate study of Neurontin capsules.