The aim of this work was to use thin-layer chromatography in lipophilicity studies of magnesium esomeprazole as a member of a group of drugs reducing hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach, i.e. proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Chromatographic parameter lipophilicity (RMW) of examined compound was determined in reversed phase system i.e. RP-TLC and RP-HPTLC by means of different chromatographic plates such as RP-18F254, RP-2F254 and RP-18WF254 as well as the following mixtures of solvents: methanolwater, 1,4-dioxane-water and acetonitrile-water as mobile phases. The results of these studies confirm the utility of economical and easy in use thin-layer chromatography to estimate the experimental lipophilicity parameter i.e. RMW of esomeprazole magnesium. The chromatographic lipophilicity parameter (RMW) presented in this paper may be used in the future to develop new forms of this drug with specific pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters.

Keywords: esomeprazole magnesium, proton pump inhibitors, lipophilicity, TLC.