Polarographic determination of ampicillin in capsules and tablets.

A new polarographic method is used for quantitative analysis of ampicillin dosage forms. The electroactive product is formed by acidic hydrolysis of ampicillin. It gives a well-developed reduction wave with half-wave potential of -0.91 V vs. SCE. The proposed method has good precision. A major advantage is the selectivity, which makes the determination of ampicillin possible without prior separation of the excipient.