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Kinetics of Degradation of Levothyroxine in Aqueous Solution and in Solid State

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Abstract

The kinetics of the deiodination of levothyroxine in aqueous solution were studied over the pH range 1 to 12. Temperature dependence of the reaction was also studied. The log k − pH profile indicated that the kinetics of deiodination include proton attack on the anion and dianion in acidic solution and water attack on the anion and dianion in alkaline solution. A possible mechanism of the deiodination was discussed. The solid-state stability of levothyroxine sodium was studied at elevated temperatures; and the compound was found to undergo deamination on heating. The decomposition follows biphasic first-order kinetics, with the most rapid decomposition occurring at the beginning of heating.

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Won, C.M. Kinetics of Degradation of Levothyroxine in Aqueous Solution and in Solid State. Pharm Res 9, 131–137 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018952415732

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018952415732

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