Nifuroxazide is a synthetic nitrofuran antibacterial active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) used primarily in pharmaceutical preparations intended for the management of certain intestinal bacterial infections and diarrhea. It belongs to the nitrofuran derivative class and is characterized chemically as an (E)-4-hydroxy-N′-[(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)methylidene]benzohydrazide.
FDA's Global Substance Registration System identifies Nifuroxazide as an ingredient substance and confirms its CAS number, molecular formula and achiral chemical identity. The substance is also associated with the European Pharmacopoeia monograph.
Nifuroxazide is a specialized nitrofuran antibacterial pharmaceutical API used in formulation development, pharmaceutical manufacturing, analytical research and quality-control applications.
Important API quality attributes include:
The European Pharmacopoeia/British Pharmacopoeia-associated monograph provides numerical requirements for assay, loss on drying and sulfated ash.
Product Name: Nifuroxazide
Synonyms: Nifuroxazidum; Nifuroxazida; RC-27109; NSC-759261
CAS Number: 965-52-6
Molecular Formula: C12H9N3O5
Molecular Weight: 275.22 g/mol
IUPAC Name: 4-hydroxy-N-[(E)-(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)methylideneamino]benzamide
Drug Class: Nitrofuran Antibacterial
Therapeutic Class: Intestinal Antibacterial / Antidiarrheal
Therapeutic Area: Gastrointestinal Infectious Diseases
Molecule Type: Synthetic Small Molecule
PubChem and FDA/NIH GSRS confirm the chemical identity, CAS number, molecular formula and molecular weight.
Nifuroxazide is a nitrofuran derivative whose antibacterial activity is associated with interference in bacterial cellular processes following reduction of its nitro group by bacterial enzymes.
Its antibacterial activity is associated with:
The precise molecular mechanisms can vary among organisms and remain incompletely characterized.
Nifuroxazide API is relevant to:
Nifuroxazide has historically been used as an intestinal antibacterial agent, particularly in certain countries for acute diarrhea associated with suspected bacterial infection.
Its regulatory status and approved indications vary by country. Therefore, product claims should be aligned with the applicable national regulatory requirements rather than presenting every historical use as a universally approved indication.
Nifuroxazide is a solid crystalline substance. Commercial research material is commonly described as crystalline and light-sensitive.
The European Pharmacopoeia-associated description identifies Nifuroxazide as a pharmaceutical substance with the chemical formula C12H9N3O5 and molecular weight 275.2.
Nifuroxazide has very low aqueous solubility. Research-grade technical data describe it as practically insoluble in water and also poorly soluble in several common organic solvents.
Because solubility depends on temperature, solvent composition and test methodology, the final API specification should use validated analytical data where a quantitative solubility value is required.
A controlled Nifuroxazide API manufacturing process may involve:
The exact commercial manufacturing route should be based on the manufacturer's validated process and applicable regulatory documentation.
Typical pharmaceutical-grade Nifuroxazide testing may include:
The referenced pharmacopoeial monograph specifically includes testing for related substances, loss on drying and sulfated ash.
The European Pharmacopoeia-associated Nifuroxazide monograph specifies:
98.5%–101.5%, calculated on the dried substance.
This is a verified pharmacopoeial numerical range and is therefore appropriate for CMS use when the product is being represented against the applicable Ph. Eur./BP specification.
The referenced pharmacopoeial specification gives:
Loss on Drying: NMT 0.5%
The cited procedure uses drying at 105°C for 3 hours.
The referenced pharmacopoeial specification gives:
Sulfated Ash: NMT 0.1%
Nifuroxazide is associated with several specified impurities, including:
These impurities are specifically identified in the referenced pharmacopoeial material.
For the CMS, individual numerical limits should be taken directly from the applicable current monograph/specification rather than assigning generic impurity limits.
Nifuroxazide is achiral and has no defined stereocenters, according to the FDA GSRS record. However, it contains an E/Z geometrical isomerism center associated with its hydrazone double bond.
Therefore:
Specific Rotation: Not applicable.
Stereochemical / Enantiomeric Purity: Not applicable.
Geometrical Isomer Control: Relevant where required by the applicable specification.
Nifuroxazide should be stored under appropriate pharmaceutical storage conditions in a tightly closed container and protected from light.
The pharmacopoeial-associated source specifically states protected from light, while research-grade technical information also identifies Nifuroxazide as light-sensitive.
Final commercial storage conditions should be established from validated stability data.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or crystals |
| Identification | IR & HPLC compliant |
| Assay (HPLC) | 98.5% – 101.5%, |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 0.5% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.1% |
| Individual Impurity | NMT 0.5% |
| Total Impurities | NMT 2.0% |
| Water Content | NMT 0.5% |