4. Conclusions
The method described here allows the accurate determination
of tretinoin and isotretinoin in dermatological formulation is as
little as 30 min. The method can be applied to analysis of commercial
tretinoin formulations. Tretinoin is an important drug
that provides benefit to dermatology conditions that range from
skin photodamage to acne. Rapid methods of analysis will facilitate
preformulation and formulation studies of tretinoin topical
formulations and will be useful for studies designed to lead to
the discovery of agents that can enhance the tolerability of this
important therapeutic agent. However, the method as currently
configured would not qualify as a stability indicating method,
particularly for photochemical stability, as the separation parameters
between tretinoin and the minor photoproducts observed
would need to be improved to achieve greater separation. However,
it is envisioned that straightforward modifications of the
mobile phase could achieve the degree of separation needed
for applications where a stability indicating method would be
required.