Photostability of drugs: photodegradation of melatonin and its determination in commercial formulations

The photostability of melatonin, a hormone used as supplementary drug in the alleviation of jet-lag and other sleep disorders, was studied. The drug photodegradation at different pH values was monitored by HPLC methods. The main photoproduct was isolated and characterised on the basis of the NMR, FTIR, and mass spectra. A HPLC method, in combination with a post-column on-line photochemical derivatisation was developed for the selective and reliable quality control of commercially available melatonin containing products.