Ion Analysis in Drugs (Part 3) Determination of Counterions (Cations) by Ion Chromatography

A variety of counterions are used to selecting the optimum salts in the development stage of a pharmaceutical product because the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties associated with the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) will vary depending on differences in counterions. Furthermore, as inorganic substances such as catalysts and ions used during synthetic process may affect such properties as solubility and stability, it is very important to conduct analysis of ionic contaminants. Here, we introduce examples of analysis of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium as the principal counter cations found in pharmaceuticals.