COMPARATIVE STUDY OF FOUR DIFFERENT BRANDS OF CAPTOPRIL AVAILABLE IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Captopril is the first orally active and specific inhibitor of angiotensin - converting enzyme. It blocks conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II by inhibiting the angiotensin converting enzyme and used for hyper tension as a potent vasodilator. Captopril is used to lower h yper tension and available in several brands in the market . The aim of this study is to establish pharmaceutical equivalence among the brands available in Karachi, Pakistan. Four different brands of captopril tablets ( 2 5 mg) were included in study. Six qua lity control parameters: weight variation test, hardness test, thickness, friability, disintegration test and dis solution test were carried out specified by British and United state Pharmacopoeia BP/USP . Hardness value require ment was complied by all brand s . Disintegration time for all brands was within 15 minutes complying the BP/USP standards . All brands of captopril showed more than 80 % drug release within forty five 45 minutes. The study suggest s that almost all the brands of captopril are available in Karachi meet the specification for quality control analysis.