Analytical Techniques for Quantification of Metoclopramide: A Comprehensive Review

Metoclopramide (MCP) is a commonly used prokinetic and antiemetic medication prescribed for managing gastrointestinal motility disorders, nausea, and vomiting. The risk of adverse reactions, as well as accurate quantification of MCP in pharmaceutical products and biological samples, is essential for quality control, pharmacokinetic assessment, and therapeutic monitoring. Relevant studies for this review were gathered from major scientific databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and PubMed, restricted to publications written in English. This review provides a critical overview of analytical techniques reported over the last 25 years for MCP determination, focusing on chromatographic, spectroscopic, and electroanalytical methods. Chromatographic techniques-particularly high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-remain the gold standard due to their robustness, precision, and compatibility with diverse sample matrices. Advanced LC-MS/MS systems offer exceptional sensitivity, reaching pg-ng/mL levels, which is particularly valuable in bioanalytical applications. HPLC-UV approaches, though less sensitive, are cost-effective and suitable for routine quality assessment. Spectroscopic methods such as UV-Vis spectroscopy are rapid and affordable but limited by poor selectivity in complex matrices. Electrochemical and voltammetric methods have recently gained attention, offering low cost, speed, and remarkable sensitivity, especially with nanomaterial-modified electrodes. Remaining challenges include MCP instability, matrix interferences, and balancing sensitivity with accessibility.