Cloud point phenomenon in amphiphilic drug promethazine hydrochloride plus electrolyte systems

Herein we report clouding phenomenon occurring in amphiphilic drug promethazine hydrochloride (PMT) in the presence of electrolytes. The CP of 50mM drug solution, prepared in 10mM sodium phosphate buffer, was found to decrease with increasing pH due to deprotonation of drug molecules at high pH. Addition of inorganic salts (KF, KCl and KBr) to drug solutions at fixed pH (6.7) and drug concentration (50mM) caused an increase in CP. The results have been discussed on the desorption/adsorption of counterions to the headgroups. Cations also increased the CP by affecting the water structure with their effectiveness being in the order: Li+ < Na+ < K+ < NH4+. In the presence of NaCl, increase in drug concentration increased the CP while increase in pH showed an opposite trend.