DOI: 10.36347/sajp.2021.v10i03.002

Pages: 43-48

Background: Levofloxacin, a third generation fluoroquinolone and the L-isomer of the racemate ofloxacin with improved antimicrobial activities. It is mostly prescribed and utilized in the health sectors within Abuja, as a result high influx of different and cheaper brands of both genuine and substandard levofloxacin tablets in Gwagwalada metropolis. So, quality evaluation of some of these brands of levofloxacin tablets is of prior importance. Objective: This study is aimed to determine the physicochemical properties and the quantitative assay of five different brands of levofloxacin 500mg tablets within Gwagwalada Abuja. Methods: The physicochemical tests were evaluated by checking the weight uniformity, friability, disintegration, dissolution; according to BP established methods for five(5) different brands of levofloxacin 500mg tablets. The assay for determination of active ingredientfor these brands were carried out using the UV/visible spectrophotometry. Results: All the brands tested complied with official British Pharmacopoeia specifications. The physicochemical test showed Uniformity of weight (-0.13 – 0.22%), Friability (0.007 – 0.075%), Disintegration (2.05 – 15.34 minutes). The percentage release for the dissolution test showed that more than 80% of the drugs were released within 10minutes. However for the contents uniformity, two of the brands (LEVO-1 and LEVO-3 have percentage content of 84.5-85.5%) failed to meet the official stipulated monograph of 90 – 110%. While the remaining three (LEVO-2, LEVO-4 and LEVO-5) have percentage content value ranging from 92 to 103.7%, and therefore can be interchangeable. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical equivalence is obtainable for the brands test in the physicochemical test. Quantitative assay showed that three (3) of the tested brands can be interchangeable while two brands can be said to be substandard. So, it is important that regulatory agencies to embark on post-marketing quality analysis levofloxacin 500mg .........