Electrochemical determination of budesonide: a common corticosteroid used to treat respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 and asthma

Abstract The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected most important areas modern world. One challenges related to counteracting effects it was necessary develop methods for quantitative determination pharmaceuticals used in treatment patients suffering from this disease and its long-term effects. Budesonide (BUD) is a widely available inexpensive corticosteroid extensively not only among people COVID-19, but also asthma other respiratory diseases. A significant increase consumption drugs containing component requires development new BUD methods, especially real samples. This paper presents voltammetric method at renewable silver amalgam film electrode (Hg(Ag)FE). electrochemical measurements were conduced supporting electrolyte 80% methyl alcohol, 0.04 mol L −1 Britton–Robinson buffer (pH 3.0) 20 mg mL NaClO 4 under optimized differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) parameters. Detailed studies behaviour on surface Hg(Ag)FE demonstrated quasi-irreversible nature diffusion-controlled, two electrons protons reduction process. calibration curve range 1.0 290 µg shows limit detection quantification equal 0.06 0.21 , respectively. impact numerous interferences over wide concentrations signals analysed evaluated. utility proposed verified by analysis pharmaceutical products spiked water Graphical abstract