Effect of pH, phosphate buffer concentration and the ionic strength on the stability of cefotetan disodium

The stability of cefotetan disodium between the pH range 2-8 has been studied using a stability-indicating HPLC assay method. The optimum pH range of stability appears to be 3.6-6.4. At pH 2 or 8, the decomposition was approximately 2 times faster than between pH 3.6-6.4. The HPLC method used is accurate and precise with percent relative standard deviation of 1.0 based on 5 readings. The decomposition of cefotetan followed first-order law. The K_h and K_oh values were estimated to be 3.8 and 4.4 × 10⁴ d^-1.