Abstract

Differential pulse polarography (DPP) has been used to monitor the degradation of benzimidazole sulphoxide antiulcer drugs SK&F 95601 and omeprazole in 10(-2) mol dm(-3) HCl to two main products, i.e., the sulphenamide and the benzimidazole sulphide. It is also used to follow the reactions of 2-mercaptoethanol with the respective products of these degradations, as simulations of their believed reactions in vivo. These reactions are also followed by UV spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry and liquid chromatography. DPP can also be used to selectively determine nanomolar concentrations of these antiulcer drugs and their degradation products, of value in formulation and body fluid analysis.