Quantification of Ribavirin in Bulk and Pharmaceutical Preparation Using Spectrophotometry Technique

Two simple, precise, accurate and sensitive visible spectrophotometric methods (I and II) have been established for quantifying ribavirin in pure form and pharmaceutical preparations. The proposed method I is based on the ability of ribavirin to reduce Folin-Ciocalteau reagent in alkaline medium to form a highly stable blue colored complex that can be measured spectrophotometrically at 760 nm. Method II is based on the formation of colored stable charge transfer complex, measured spectrophotometrically at 550 nm, between dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4- benzoquinone and ribavirin in acetonitrile medium. Variables affecting the chemical reaction were studied and optimized. The suggested methods I and II were validated as per ICH guidelines and successfully applied for quantification of the ribavirin in its pharmaceutical preparations like tablets, capsules and injections dosage forms with good accuracy and precision.