Identification and analysis of a degradation product of the glucocorticoid desonide in ointment.

Abstract

The major degradation product of desonide in a pharmaceutical ointment formulation has been shown to be identical with the C-17-carboxylic acid obtained on oxidative cleavage of the alpha-ketol group of desonide with alkaline hydrogen peroxide. The pKa value of this acid has been estimated from chromatographic data.