Identification and characterization of hydrolytic degradation products of cefditoren pivoxil using LC and LC-MS/TOF

The present research work was carried out to determine stability of cefditoren pivoxil, an orally absorbed prodrug that is rapidly hydrolysed by intestinal esterases to the active cephalosporin cefditoren. Cefditoren was subjected to stress conditions recommended by the International Conference on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use guideline Q1A (R2). Cefditoren pivoxil was susceptible for degradation under acidic, alkaline and neutral hydrolytic conditions while it was stable under photolytic and thermal stress conditions. Separation of cefditoren and degradation products were carried out by using HPLC. The unknown degradation products were characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/time of flight studies. Structures were proposed for each fragment based on best possible molecular formula and complete degradation pathways were reported for cefditoren and its degradants