In the present study, a simple, sensitive and rapid reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with ultraviolet detection for the analysis of oxytetracycline (OTC) is developed and applied to the determination of the antibiotic in commercial pharmaceutical preparations (powder, capsules, vaginal tablets and ointment). The isocratic elution is performed with methanol-0.01 M oxalic acid, pH 3.0 (30:70, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.95 ml min, using a Silasorb C8 analytical column, 250 x 4 mm, 10 microm. Codeine is used as internal standard. Absorbance is monitored at 250 nm where both analyte of interest and internal standard have significant absorption. Total analysis time was approximately 7 min. Data with respect to precision and accuracy and limits of detection are reported and discussed. The described method can be readily utilised for analysis of pharmaceutical products and pharmacokinetic studies as well.