Carbamazepine Tablets
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This article is compiled based on the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) – 2025 Edition
Issued and maintained by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP)
To view the Notice from the Expert Committee that posted in conjunction with this accelerated revision, please click
1 DEFINITION
Carbamazepine Tablets contain NLT 92.0% and NMT 108.0% of the labeled amount of carbamazepine (C15H12N2O).
2 IDENTIFICATION
A. SPECTROSCOPIC IDENTIFICATION TESTS (197), Infrared Spectroscopy: 197M
Sample solution: Nominally 250 mg of carbamazepine from powdered Tablets in 15 mL of acetone
Analysis: Boil the Sample solution for 5 min in a suitable beaker. Filter while hot, using two 5-mL portions of hot acetone to effect transfer.
Evaporate the filtrate with the aid of nitrogen to 5 mL, and cool in an ice bath until crystals are formed. Filter the crystals, wash with 3 mL of cold acetone, and dry under vacuum at 70° for 30 min. Use the crystals.
Acceptance criteria: Meet the requirements
B. The retention time of the major peak of the Sample solution corresponds to that of the Standard solution, as obtained in the Assay.
3 ASSAY
PROCEDURE
Mobile phase: Methanol, tetrahydrofuran, and water (12:3:85). Add 0.22 mL of formic acid and then 0.5 mL of triethylamine to each L.
Diluent: Methanol and water (50:50)
System suitability stock solution: 0.1 mg/mL of USP Carbamazepine RS and 0.5 mg/mL of USP Carbamazepine Related Compound A RS in methanol. Sonication may be used to aid in dissolution.
System suitability solution: 0.01 mg/mL of USP Carbamazepine RS and 0.05 mg/mL of USP Carbamazepine Related Compound A RS from System suitability stock solution in Diluent
Standard stock solution: 2 mg/mL of USP Carbamazepine RS in methanol. Sonication may be used to aid in dissolution.
Standard solution: 0.2 mg/mL of USP Carbamazepine RS from Standard stock solution in Diluent
Sample stock solution: Nominally 2 mg/mL of carbamazepine from NLT 20 Tablets prepared as follows. Finely powder the Tablets, and transfer a portion of the powder to a suitable volumetric flask. Add 80% of the final flask volume of methanol, sonicate for 15 min, and allow to cool to room temperature. Dilute with methanol to volume. Pass through a suitable filter and discard the first few mL of filtrate.
Sample solution: Nominally 0.2 mg/mL of carbamazepine from Sample stock solution in Diluent
Chromatographic system
(See Chromatography (621), System Suitability.)
Mode: LC
Detector: UV 230 nm
Column: 4.0- or 4.6-mm x 25-cm; 7-um packing L10
Flow rate: 1.5 mL/min
Injection volume: 20 µL
Run time: NLT 1.6 times the retention time of carbamazepine
System suitability
Samples: System suitability solution and Standard solution
[NOTE-See Table 3 for the relative retention times.]
Suitability requirements
Resolution: NLT 1.7 between carbamazepine related compound A and carbamazepine, System suitability solution
Relative standard deviation: NMT 2.0%, Standard solution
Analysis
Samples: Standard solution and Sample solution
Calculate the percentage of the labeled amount of carbamazepine (C15H12N2O) in the portion of Tablets taken:
Result = (rU/rS) x (CS/CU) × 100
rU = peak response from the Sample solution
rS = peak response from the Standard solution
CS = concentration of USP Carbamazepine RS in the Standard solution (mg/mL)
CU = nominal concentration of carbamazepine in the Sample solution (mg/mL)
Acceptance criteria: 92.0%-108.0%
4 PERFORMANCE TESTS
Change to read:
DISSOLUTION (711)
For products labeled as 100-mg chewable Tablets
Test 1: if the product complies with this test, the labeling indicates that it meets USP Dissolution Test 1.
Medium: Water containing 1% sodium lauryl sulfate: 900 ml.
Apparatus 2: 75 rpm
Time: 60 min
Standard solution: USP Carbamazepine RS in Medium. [NOTE-A volume of methanol NMT 1% of the final total volume of the Standard solution may be used to dissolve the carbamazepine.]
Sample solution: Filtered portion of the solution under test, diluted with Medium if necessary
Instrumental conditions
Mode: UV
Analytical wavelength: Maximum absorbance at about 288 nm
Analysis
Samples: Standard solution and Sample solution
Calculate the percentage of the labeled amount of carbamazepine (C15H12N2O) dissolved:
Result (A/A) xCxVx (1/L) x 100
A absorbance of the Sample solution
A absorbance of the Standard solution
C concentration of USP Carbamazepine RS in the Standard solution (mg/mL)
V volume of the Medium, 900 mL
L label claim (mg/Tablet)
Tolerances: NLT 75% (Q) of the labeled amount of carbamazepine (CH, NO) is dissolved. Use Dissolution (711), Acceptance Table 1 with the following exceptions: at S.,, no unit is less than 0-5%; at S, no unit is less than 0-10%; and NMT 2 of the 24 units are less than Q-5%.
For products labeled as 200-mg Tablets
Test 2: If the product complies with this test, the labeling indicates that it meets USP Dissolution Test 2.
Medium, Apparatus 2, Standard solution, Sample solution, and Instrumental conditions: Proceed as directed in Test 1.
Times: 15 and 60 min
Analysis
Calculate the concentration (C) of carbamazepine (C15H12N2O) in the sample withdrawn from the vessel at each time point (1):
Result = (AU/AS) x CS
AU = absorbance of the Sample solution
AS = absorbance of the Standard solution
CS = concentration of USP Carbamazepine RS in the Standard solution (mg/mL)
Calculate the percentage of the labeled amount of carbamazepine (C15H12N2O) dissolved at each time point (1):
Result1 = C1x Vx (1/L) x 100
Result2 = [(CxV)+(C1xVS)]x (1/L) x 100
Ci = concentration of carbamazepine in the portion of sample withdrawn at the specified time point (1) (mg/ml.)
V = volume of the Mediurn, 900 mL
L = label claim (mg/Tablet) L = 1
V2 = volume of the Medium at time point 2 (mL)
VS = volume of the Sample solution withdrawn at each time point (i) (mL)
Tolerances: See Table 1.
Table 1
| Time Point(i) | Time (min) | Amount Dissolved (%) |
| 1 | 15 | 45-75 |
| 2 | 60 | NLT 75 |
Use Dissolution (711). Accentance Table 2 with the following exceptions. At 15 min: at L 2 unit is more than 5% outside the stated range; at L3 no unit is more than 10% outside the stated range; and NMT 2 of the 24 units are more than 5% outside the stated range.
At 60 min: at L2 no unit is less than Q - 5%; at L3 unit is less than Q - 10% and NMT 2 of the 24 units are less than Q + (- 5)%
Test 3: If the product complies with this test, the labeling indicates that it meets USP Dissolution Test 3.
Medium, Apparatus 2, Standard solution, Sample solution, and Instrumental conditions: Proceed as indicated in Test 1.
Times: 15 and 60 min
Analysis
Samples: Standard solution and Sample solution
Calculate the concentration (C) of carbamazepine (C15H12N2O) the sample withdrawn from the vessel at each time point (i): Result = (AU/AS) x CS
AU = absorbance of the Sample solution
AS = absorbance of the Standard solution
CS = concentration of USP Carbamazepine RS in the Standard solution (mg / m * L)
Calculate the percentage of the labeled amount of carbamazepine (C15H12N2O) dissolved at each time point (1):
Result1 = C1 x V x (1/L) x 100
Result2 = [(C2xV2) + (C1xVS) x (1/L) x 100
Ci = concentration of carbamazepine in the portion of sample withdrawn at the specified time point (i) (mg / m L)
v = volume of the Medium, 900 mL
L = label claim (mg/Tablet)
V2 = volume of the Medium at time point 2 (mL)
VS = volume of the Sample solution withdrawn at each time point (i) (mL)
Tolerances: See Table 2.
Table 2
Time Point (7) | Time (min) | Amount Dissolved (%) |
| 1 | 15 | 60-85 |
| 2 | 60 | NLT 75 |
Use Dissolution (711), Acceptance Table 2 with the following exceptions. At 15 min: at L2 unit is more than 5% outside the stated range; at L3 unit is more than 10% outside the stated range; and NMT 2 of the 24 units are more than 5% outside the stated range. At 60 min: L2, no unit is less than Q + (- 5)% at L3; no unit is less than Q - 10% and NMT 2 of the 24 units are less than Q + (- 5)%.
Test 4: If the product complies with this test, the labeling indicates that it meets USP Dissolution Test 4.
Medium: Water containing 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate: 900 mL
Apparatus 2: 75 rpm
Time: 45 min
Standard stock solution: 0.9 mg/mL of USP Carbamazepine RS in methanol. Sonicate to dissolve as needed.
Standard solution: 9 µg/mL of USP Carbamazepine RS from Standard stock solution in Medium
Sample solution: Pass a portion of the solution under test through a suitable filter of 0.45-um pore size and discard the first 3 mL of the filtrate. Dilute with Medium to a concentration similar to that of the Standard solution.
Instrumental conditions
(See Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (857).)
Mode: UV
Analytical wavelength: 288 nm
Cell length: 1 cm
Blank: Medium
Analysis
Samples: Standard solution and Sample solution
Calculate the percentage of the labeled amount of carbamazepine (C15H12N2O) dissolved:
Result = (AU/AS) xCSxDxVx (1/L)×100
AU = absorbance of the Sample solution
AS = absorbance of the Standard solution
CS = concentration of USP Carbamazepine RS in the Standard solution (mg/mL)
D = dilution factor
V = volume of the Medium, 900 mL
L = label claim (mg/Tablet)
Tolerances: NLT 80% (Q) of the labeled amount of carbamazepine (C15H12N2O) is dissolved. (RB 22-Sep-2022)
UNIFORMITY OF DOSAGE UNITS (905): Meet the requirements
5 IMPURITIES
ORGANIC IMPURITIES
Mobile phase, Diluent, and System suitability solution: Proceed as directed in the Assay.
Standard stock solution: 0.02 mg/mL each of USP Carbamazepine RS, USP Carbamazepine Related Compound B RS, and USP 9-Methylacridine RS in methanol. Sonication may be used to aid in dissolution.
Standard solution: 0.001 mg/mL each of USP Carbamazepine RS, USP Carbamazepine Related Compound B RS, and USP 9-Methylacridine
RS from Standard stock solution in Diluent
Sample solution: Nominally 1 mg/mL of carbamazepine from NLT 20 Tablets prepared as follows. Finely powder the Tablets, and transfer a portion of the powder to a suitable volumetric flask. Add about 50% of the final flask volume of Diluent, sonicate for 15 min, and allow to cool to room temperature. Dilute with Diluent to volume. Pass through a suitable filter and discard the first few mL of filtrate.
Chromatographic system: Proceed as directed in the Assay except use a Run time of NLT 3.5 times the retention time of carbamazepine.
System suitability
Samples: System suitability solution and Standard solution
[NOTE-See Table 3 for the relative retention times.]
Suitability requirements
Resolution: NLT 1.7 between carbamazepine related compound A and carbamazepine, System suitability solution
Relative standard deviation: NMT 10.0% each for carbamazepine, carbamazepine related compound B, and 9-methylacridine, Standard solution
Analysis
Samples: Standard solution and Sample solution
Calculate the percentage of carbamazepine related compound B and 9-methylacridine in the portion of Tablets taken.
Result = (rU/rS) x (CS/CU) × 100
rU = peak response of carbamazepine related compound B or 9-methylacridine from the Sample solution
rS = peak response of carbamazepine related compound 8 or 9-methylacridine from the Standard solution
CS = concentration of USP Carbamazepine Related Compound B RS or USP 9-Methylacridine RS in the Standard solution (mg/mL)
CU = nominal concentration of carbamazepine in the Sample solution (mg / m L)
Calculate the percentage of other degradation products in the portion of Tablets taken:
Result = (rU/rS) x (CS/CU) × 100
rU = peak response of any individual unspecified degradation product from the Sample solution
rS = peak response of carbamazepine from the Standard solution
CS = concentration of USP Carbamazepine RS in the Standard solution (mg / m L)
CU = nominal concentration of carbamazepine in the Sample solution (mg / mL)
Acceptance criteria: See Table 3. Disregard peaks below 0.05%.
Table 3
| Name | Relative Retention Time | Acceptance Criteria, NMT (%) |
9-Methylacridine | 0.54 | 0.2 |
Carbamazepine related compound Aa | 0.87 | - |
| Carbamazepine | 1.0 | - |
| Carbamazepine related compound B | 3.1 | 0.2 |
| Any individual unspecified degradation product | - | 0.2 |
| Total degradation products | - | 0.30 |
a This is a process impurity that is controlled in the drug substance. It is not to be reported or included in the total degradation products.
6 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
PACKAGING AND STORAGE: Preserve in tight containers, preferably of glass. Protect from light and moisture. Store at controlled room temperature.
LABELING: The labeling indicates the Dissolution test with which the product complies.
USP REFERENCE STANDARDS (11).
USP Carbamazepine RS
USP Carbamazepine Related Compound A RS
10,11-Dihydrocarbamazepine.
C15H14N2O 238.29
USP Carbamazepine Related Compound B RS
5H-Dibenz[b,flazepine.
C14H11N 193.25
USP 9-Methylacridine RS
9-Methylacridine.
C14H11N 193.25

