Galantamine hydrobromide was subjected to oxidative stress degradation using hydrogen peroxide and analyzed as per the chromatographic conditions described in European Pharmacopoeia. The drug showed considerable degradation at ambient temperature resulting in the formation of two degradation products at relative retention times (RRTs) 0.63 and 2.52. The minor degradant at RRT 0.63 was identified as galantamine N-oxide. The principal degradant formed at RRT 2.52 was found to be unknown and has not been reported previously. The unknown impurity was identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) followed by isolation using semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The isolated impurity was characterized using one-dimensional, two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1D and 2D NMR) and elemental analysis (EA). The principal degradant was found to be formed due to the generation of bromine and subsequent attack on the aromatic ring via in situ reaction between hydrogen bromide and hydrogen peroxide. The unknown impurity was characterized as (4aS,6R,8aS)-5,6,9,10,11,12-hexahydro-1-bromo-3-methoxy-11-methyl-4aH-[1]benzofuro [3a,3,2-ef] [2] benzazepin-6-ol.
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