ADPEN provides method development and validation of nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceuticals at ppb levels.

Several Valsartan products were recalled worldwide due to the presence of the nitrosamine impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), found in the active pharmaceutical ingredient.  Additional nitrosamine impurities were found in Valsartan and four other Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) or “Sartans”, Candesartan, Irbesartan, Losartan and Olmesartan, including N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), N-nitrosodiisopropylamine (NDIPA), N-nitroso-ethylisopropylamine (NEIPA) and N-nitrosomethyl-n-butylamine (NMBA). Other pharmaceutical products have been reported to contain nitrosamine impurities, Pioglitazone, Ranitidine, Nizatidine and Metformin.

Nitrosamines may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to them above acceptable levels and over long periods of time.  Regulatory actions taken to date have included import restrictions, stop sale/distribution, product recalls, regulatory letters, and public communications.  The potential for formation of nitrosamine impurities at such low levels during manufacturing processes was not recognized by regulators and industry until recently.

See our current brochures on N-Nitrosamine  and NDELA analyses by clicking on the names.

The formation of nitrosamine impurities is potential across several points in the manufacturing process and production chain:

• Drug Substance Manufacturing
• Drug Substance Packaging and Stability
• Drug Product Manufacturing
• Drug Product Packaging and Stability

Detection of nitrosamines is challenging for both regulators and industry given the multiple potential root causes, the expanding scope of impacted products and the need to develop highly sensitive detection methods.

Let ADPEN Laboratories develop and validate methods of detection for nitrosamine impurities in your pharmaceutical process. We have the capability to determine ppb levels using our highly sensitive UPLC-MS/MS instruments.