UV light analyzing cream

Relief is Here: A Simple Guide to Analyzing Miconazole Nitrate and Hydrocortisone Acetate in Creams

Author's portrait.
Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness April 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover an easy-to-use spectroscopic method for ensuring the quality and safety of your medicated creams."


In the realm of topical treatments, creams combining different drugs are frequently employed to tackle complex skin conditions. These formulations aim to provide synergistic effects, enhancing patient compliance and streamlining treatment regimens. However, the complexity of these formulations necessitates robust analytical methods to ensure the quality and consistency of each active ingredient.

Traditionally, sophisticated techniques like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) have been the go-to methods for analyzing such combinations. While effective, these methods can be expensive, time-consuming, and require specialized expertise. This is where the development of simpler, more accessible methods becomes invaluable.

Imagine a method that allows for the simultaneous analysis of multiple active ingredients in a cream, without the need for complex equipment or extensive training. This is the promise of UV-visible spectroscopy, a technique that has been refined and validated for the analysis of miconazole nitrate and hydrocortisone acetate in pharmaceutical creams.

The Power of Spectroscopic Analysis

UV light analyzing cream

A recent study published in the Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research details the development and validation of a spectroscopic method for the simultaneous analysis of miconazole nitrate (MCN) and hydrocortisone acetate (HCA) in pharmaceutical dosage forms. This method leverages the principles of UV-visible spectroscopy to provide a simple, reliable, and robust approach to quality control.

The researchers outlined a three-step process: method development, validation, and application to a commercial formulation. By preparing serial dilutions of MCN and HCA in an ethanol-water solvent system, they were able to analyze the absorbance of each drug at specific wavelengths (205 nm for MCN and 249 nm for HCA). This allowed for the creation of calibration curves and the determination of key parameters such as linearity, range, accuracy, precision, and robustness.
The key advantages of this method include:
  • Simplicity: UV spectroscopy is a straightforward technique that doesn't require extensive training.
  • Reliability: The method was validated for linearity, range, accuracy, precision, and robustness, ensuring consistent and dependable results.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: UV spectroscopy equipment is more accessible and affordable compared to HPLC systems.
  • Efficiency: Simultaneous analysis of both drugs saves time and resources.
The validation process confirmed the method's linearity over a concentration range of 1 to 12 µg/mL for MCN and 1 to 40 µg/mL for HCA, with correlation coefficients of 0.9995 and 0.9984, respectively. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were also determined, demonstrating the method's sensitivity for detecting and quantifying low concentrations of each drug. Furthermore, the method was successfully applied to a commercial cream formulation, with assay results falling within the limits specified in the British Pharmacopoeia.

Ensuring Quality and Safety

In conclusion, the development and validation of this UV spectroscopic method provides a valuable tool for the simultaneous analysis of miconazole nitrate and hydrocortisone acetate in pharmaceutical creams. Its simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness make it an attractive alternative to more complex techniques, empowering pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies to ensure the quality and safety of these widely used topical medications. By adopting such methods, we can all be more confident in the effectiveness and consistency of the treatments we rely on.

Newsletter Subscribe

Subscribe to get the latest articles and insights directly in your inbox.