Identification and Characterization of Prasugrel Degradation Products by GC/MS, FTIR and 1H NMR

The objective of the present work was to separate, identify and characterize the degradation products of Prasugrel hydrochloride under hydrolytic and oxidative stress conditions according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guideline Q1A (R2). The drug degraded under acidic, basic, and oxidative stress. Five degradation products were formed, which were separated using preparative TLC. Mass fragmentation pathway of the drug was first established with the help of GC/MS studies. The degradation products were subjected to FTIR and 1H NMR studies. The obtained mass spectral data were employed to characterize the degradation products and assign structures. The degradation products were identified as 5-(2- cyclopropyl-1-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridin-2(3H)-one, 5-(2-cyclopropyl- 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl)-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridin-2(4H)-one, 2-acetoxy-5-(2-cyclopropyl- 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridine 5-oxide, 1-cyclopropyl-2-(2- fluorophenyl)ethane-1,2-dione and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridin-2-yl acetate.