ABSTRACT
Erythromycin, a broad-spectrum macrolide antibiotic, is one of the commonly used drugs in veterinary practice for the treatment of various forms of bacterial infections. It essentially acts by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. The increased number of pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria and globally has resulted in the production of numerous substandard drugs which can be attributed to poor quality control by the relevant regulatory agencies.
Aims
This study aimed to quantifies the active principle (compound) in various erythromycin brands marketed within Maiduguri and its environs.
Method
Structured Questionnaires were also administered to 3 categories (Veterinarians, Drug Vendors, and Farmers) of respondents used for this study. Questions concerning the respondent’s demography, years of experience, preferences in use of erythromycin over other antibiotics and frequency of usage are among other questions asked during this study. Five different erythromycin brands labeled A – E were analyzed using the spectrophotometer method. These 5 samples were measured against a standard erythromycin sample (Sigma-Aldrich E5389) obtained from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC).
Results
The results showed that sample C contained 59% of the active constituent written on its label. Samples B and A contained 88% and 89% of the active constituents on their labels, while samples D and E contained 173% and 101% respectively of the active constituents indicated on their labels.
Conclusion
It might be inferred that there has been significant variability in the concentration of active component among the various brands of erythromycin employed in this investigation.
Key words: Antibiotics resistance, Erythromycin, Spectrophotometer, Macrolides
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