Evaluation of capillary gas chromatography for multicomponent drug analysis.

Capillary gas chromatography is evaluated for multicomponent drug analysis. A 0.32 mm id X 30 m fused silica column and a 0.75 mm id X 30 m borosilicate glass column (both with OV-1 bonded phase) are investigated. Retention times (relative to caffeine) are presented for 39 drug components representing a variety of chemical classes and pharmacological activities. Reproducibility data are presented for both isothermal and programmed temperature runs on selected drug mixtures. Recovery data are provided for 2 multicomponent drug mixtures prepared to approximate over-the-counter antihistaminic and antitussive preparations.