Spectroscopic characterization of over the counter medication

CHED 1316

Thandi Buthelezi, thandi.buthelezi@wku.edu, Michelle J Perry, perrymj@wku.edu, and Sabina Salkic, sabina.salkic@wku.edu. Department of Chemistry, Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd #11079, Bowling Green, KY 42101-1048
Absorbance, emission, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy have been used to characterize expired and unexpired over the counter (OTC) medication. All spectra are measured with conventional instrumentation. However, fluorescence studies are conducted with a portable hand-held OceanOptics spectrofluorometer. And samples are excited with light emitting diodes, a green (532nm) or deep red (670nm) laser pointer. Temperature-dependent studies are employed to determine the shelf-life of OTC medication. Comparisons of expired and unexpired OTC medication spectral data and summary of our results are presented.