A rapid, precise, accurate and specific first derivative UV spectrophotometric method was developed for the simultaneous estimation of simvastatin and ezetimibe in tablet dosage form. The first derivative spectrum was recorded between 200 and 350 nm and a zero-crossing technique for first-derivative measurement at 235 nm and 266 nm of simvastatin and ezetimibe, respectively were selected. Methanol was used as solvent. The developed method was validated for linearity, accuracy and precision as per ICH guidelines. The method illustrated excellent linearity (correlation coefficient (r2 > 0.999) in the concentration range of 2-20 μg/mL for simvastatin and ezetimibe. Precision (%R.S.D. < 1.50) and analytical recovery was found in the range of 91-101%, show the suitability of the method for determination in quality control analysis. The described UV spectrophotometric method can be successfully employed for the quantitative analysis of simvastatin and ezetimibe as in bulk drug and in pharmaceutical formulations.
