Determination and pharmacokinetic study of amlodipine in human plasma by ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A novel, specific and sensitive ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the determination and pharmacokinetic study of amlodipine in human plasma. The analysis was carried out on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C(18) column (50 mm x 2.1 mm, i.d., 1.7 microm) with gradient elution at a flow-rate of 0.35 ml/min. The mobile phase was water and acetonitrile under gradient conditions (both containing 0.3% formic acid) and nimodipine was used as the internal standard. Detection was performed on a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode via Turbo ion spray ionization (ESI). Linear calibration curves were obtained over the concentration range 0.15-16.0 ng/ml, with a lower limit of quantification of 0.15 ng/ml. The intra- and inter-day precision (R.S.D.) values were below 15% and the accuracy (R.E.) was -2.3% to 6.9% at all three QC levels. The method was used to support clinical pharmacokinetic studies of amlodipine in healthy volunteers following oral administration.     

Determination of lovastatin in human plasma by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and its application in a pharmacokinetic study

A selective, rapid and sensitive ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the quantitative determination of lovastatin in human plasma and its application in a pharmacokinetic study. With mycophenolate mofetil as internal standard, sample pretreatment involved a one-step extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether of 0.2 ml plasma. The analysis was carried out on an ACQUITY UPLCTM BEH C18 column (50 mm x 2.1 mm, i.d., 1.7 microm) with flow rate of 0.35 ml/min. The mobile phase was 20% water and 80% acetonitrile (v/v). The detection was performed on a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode via electrospray ionization (ESI). Linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration range of 0.08-24.50 ng/ml, with a lower limit of quantification of 0.08 ng/ml. The intra- and inter-day precision (RSD) values were below 15% and accuracy (RE) was -7.6 to 9.3% at all QC levels. The method was applicable to clinical pharmacokinetic study of lovastatin in healthy volunteers following oral administration.     

A rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS assay to quantify yonkenafil in rat plasma with application to preclinical pharmacokinetics studies

A novel method for the quantitation of yonkenafil, a new synthetic phosphodiesterase V inhibitor, in rat plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed. The analyte and internal standard (diazepam) were extracted from plasma (100 microl) by liquid-liquid extraction and separated on a C18 column using 10mM ammonium acetate buffer: methanol (15:85, v/v) as mobile phase in a run time of 3.0 min. The detector was a Q-trap mass spectrometer with an ESI interface operating in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The assay was linear over the concentration range 1.0-1000 ng/ml with a limit of detection of 0.20 ng/ml. Intra- and inter-day precision (as relative standard deviation) were both within 8.45% with good accuracy. The method was successfully applied to a preclinical pharmacokinetic study of yonkenafil in rat after sublingual, oral and intravenous administration. The results demonstrate that the sublingual route gives a higher bioavailablity than the oral route and may represent a useful alternative route of yonkenafil administration.     

Validated HPLC-MS/MS method for determination of quetiapine in human plasma

A validated, highly sensitive and selective high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the quantitative determination of quetiapine (QUE) in human Na2EDTA plasma with mass spectrometry (MS) detection. Clozapine (CLO) was employed as an internal standard. Samples were extracted using solid phase extraction (SPE). Oasis HLB cartridges and the concentration of quetiapine was determined by isocratic HPLC-MS/MS. The SRM mode was used for MS/MS detection. The method was validated over a concentration range of 1.0-382.2 ng/mL. Inter- and intra-day precision and accuracy of the proposed method were characterized by relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) and the percentage of deviation, respectively; both were lower than 8%. The developed method was employed in the pharmacokinetic study of quetiapine.     

高效液相色谱-质谱-质谱联用法测定人血浆中艾司西酞普兰浓度及其药代动力学研究

目的建立测定人血浆中艾司西酞普兰浓度的高效液相色谱-质谱-质谱联用法.方法血浆样品经甲醇沉淀后进行分析.色谱柱Lichrospher CN柱150 mm×4.6 m I.D.5μm,流动相甲醇水(含15 mmol·L-1乙酸铵)甲酸(72∶28O.1,v/v/v),流速1.0ml·min-1,电喷雾离子化三重四极杆串联质谱检测,以选择离子反应监测(SRM)扫描方式进行检测,采用选择离子反应监测(SRM)方式进行定量分析,用于监测的离子为m/z 325.0→234.0(西酞普兰)和m/z 409.1→238.1(氨氯地平,内标).结果线性范围为0.20～50.00ng·ml-1,最低定量浓度为0.20 ng·ml-1,应用此法测试了10名健康受试者口服草酸艾司西酞普兰片(10 mg)后不同时间的血药浓度,得到艾司西酞普兰药动学参数,Cmax为9.21±2.10 ng·ml-1,Tmax为3.75±1.04h,AUC0-t为514.6±152.3 ng·h·ml-1,AUC0-∞为540.5±162.3 ng·h·ml-1,t1/2为34.06±7.71 h及Ke为0.021±O.004h-1.结论该法专属、灵敏、简便、快速,适用于人血浆中艾司西酞普兰浓度的测定.     

Quantitative determination of spinosin in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method

A sensitive method for the quantitative determination of spinosin in rat plasma was developed and validated using high-performance liquid chromatographic separation with tandem mass spectrometric detection. The analytes of interest were extracted from rat plasma samples by methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) after acidification with 1.0% acetic acid aqueous solution. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C(18) (50 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) using a isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-water (30:70, v/v) with 1% isopropyl alcohol and 0.01% heptafluorobutyric acid. The flow rate was 0.2 ml/min. The column temperature was maintained at 25 degrees C. Detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode via electrospray ionization (ESI). The calibration curve was linear over the range of 1.00-400 ng/ml in rat plasma, with 1.00 ng/ml of the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ). The inter- and intra-day precisions and accuracy for all samples were satisfactory. The validated method was successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic study of spinosin in rat. After oral administration of 20mg/kg spinosin to rats, the main pharmacokinetic parameters of T(max), C(max), T(0.5) and AUC(0-T) were 5.33+/-0.58 h, 132.2+/-10.6 ng/ml, 4.89+/-0.37 h, 1.02+/-0.09 microg h/l, respectively.     

Simultaneous quantification of enalapril and enalaprilat in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and its application in a pharmacokinetic study

A rapid, selective and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) method was developed to simultaneously determine enalapril and enalaprilat in human plasma. With benazepril as internal standard, sample pretreatment involved in a one-step protein precipitation (PPT) with methanol of 0.2 ml plasma. Analysis was performed on an Ultimate™ XB-C₁₈ column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, i.d., 3 μm) with mobile phase consisting of methanol–water–formic acid (62:38:0.2, v/v/v). The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode via electrospray ionization (ESI) source. Each plasma sample was chromatographed within 2.5 min. The linear calibration curves for enalapril and enalaprilat were both obtained in the concentration range of 0.638–255 ng/ml (r² ≥ 0.99) with the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 0.638 ng/ml. The intra-day precision (R.S.D.) was below 7.2% and inter-day R.S.D. was less than 14%, while accuracy (relative error R.E.) was within ±8.7 and ±5.5%, determined from QC samples for enalapril and enalaprilat which corresponded to requirement of the guidance of FDA. The HPLC–MS/MS method herein described was fully validated and successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of enalapril maleate capsules in 20 healthy male volunteers after oral administration.     

A fast and sensitive liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric method for assay of lorazepam and application to pharmacokinetic analysis

A fast and sensitive method of coupled high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry for the assay of lorazepam in human plasma was developed. Plasma samples were simply treated with acetonitrile to precipitate and remove proteins and the isolated supernatants were directly injected into the HPLC/MS/MS system. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Zorbax C(18) (100 x 2.1 mm I.D.) column with a 65:35 (v/v) mixed solution of acetonitrile and 10mM aqueous formic acid being used as mobile phase. With diazepam as an internal standard, quantification was performed by selected reaction ion monitoring of the transitions of m/z 321--> m/z 275 for lorazepam and m/z 285--> m/z 193 for the internal standard. The assay was validated in the concentration range of 0.71-71.3 ng/ml in human plasma. A detection limit of 0.10 ng/ml for lorazepam was achieved, and inter- and intra-run precisions of better than 4.4% (R.S.D.) were observed. The developed method has been successfully applied for pharmacokinetic study of the drug in man.     

Development and validation of a rapid and sensitive UHPLC–MS/MS method for the determination of paliperidone in beagle dog plasma

In order to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of paliperidone extended-release tablets in vivo, a simple and rapid ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of paliperidone in beagle dog plasma. Paliperidone and diazepam (internal standard) were extracted from plasma samples with diethyl ether, and then separated on a C₁₈ column (2.1 × 50 mm, 2.6 μm) under gradient elution with methanol–0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min. The compounds were detected using a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source. The validated method was linear over the concentration range of 1.00–1000.00 ng/ml and the lower limit of quantitation was 1.00 ng/ml. The intra-day and inter-day precision values were not more than 15% (relative standard deviation < 20% at low levels), while the accuracy was within ±10% of nominal values. The validated UHPLC–MS/MS method was successfully applied to an oral pharmacokinetic study of paliperidone extended-release tablets in a beagle dog.     

A UFLC/MS/MS method for simultaneous quantitation of alisol A and alisol B 23-acetate from Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juz. in rat plasma

A sensitive and reliable ultra fast liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous quantitation of alisol A and alisol B 23-acetate from Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juz. in rat plasma using diazepam as an internal standard (IS). The plasma samples were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether and separated on a Venusil MP C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 3.0 mm) (Venusil, China) using gradient elution with the mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.1% acetic acid in water at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min. The two analytes were monitored with positive electrospray ionization by multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM). The lower limit of quantitation was 5.00 ng/ml for alisol A and 5.00 ng/ml for alisol B 23-acetate. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 5.00–2500 ng/ml for alisol A and 5–2500 ng/ml for alisol B 23-acetate. The mean extraction recoveries were above 63.8% for alisol A and 68.0% for alisol B 23-acetate from biological matrixes. Both intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy of analytes were well within acceptance criteria (15%). The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of alisol A and alisol B 23-acetate in rat plasma after oral administration of alcohol extract of Alismatis Rhizoma.     

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of lacidipine in human plasma and its application in a pharmacokinetic study

A selective, rapid and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of lacidipine in human plasma. With nifedipine as an internal standard, sample pretreatment involved a simple liquid–liquid extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether of 1 ml plasma. The analysis was carried out on an Acquity™ UPLC BEH C₁₈ column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) with flow rate of 0.28 ml/min. The mobile phase was 30 mM ammonium acetate buffer–acetonitrile (18:82, v/v, pH 5.5). The detection was performed on a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode via electrospray ionization (ESI). Linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration range of 0.025–10.000 ng/ml, with a lower limit of quantification of 0.025 ng/ml. The intra- and inter-day precision (R.S.D.) values were below 15% and accuracy (RE) was −12.7% to 11.9% at all QC levels. The method was successfully applied to a clinical pharmacokinetic study of lacidipine in healthy volunteers following oral administration.     

HPLC-MS／MS法测定大鼠血浆中兰索拉唑及其代谢产物的浓度

目的：建立大鼠血浆中兰索拉唑及其代谢产物5-羟基兰索拉唑、兰索拉唑砜的HPLC-MS／MS测定方法。方法：色谱条件：色谱柱：Diamonsil C18柱（150mm×2．1mm,5um）;流动相：乙腈-水（合0．01％甲酸及2mmol·L-1的醋酸铵（43：57,V／V）;流速：0．3ml·min-1;柱温：40℃;进样量10ul。质谱条件：电喷雾离子源（ESI）,以多反应监测离子方式测定兰索拉唑及其代谢产物,选择性监测质荷比（m／z）为368．0／163．9（兰索拉唑）,384．1／179．9（5-羟基兰索拉唑）,383．9／115．9（兰索拉唑砜）,326．0／280．1（内标奥美拉唑）。样品用乙腈沉淀蛋白处理。结果：兰索拉唑、5-羟基兰索拉唑、兰索拉唑砜的线性范围分别为11．40～4560．00,1．26～504．00,1．24～496．00ng·ml-1;定量下限分别为11．40,1．26,1．24ng·ml-1;批内、批间精密度RSD均〈15％。结论：该方法灵敏、准确、快速、专属性好,适用于兰索拉唑及其代谢产物在大鼠体内的药代动力学研究。     

Simple, sensitive and rapid LC-ESI-MS method for the quantitation of lafutidine in human plasma--application to pharmacokinetic studies

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) method has been developed and validated for the identification and quantification of lafutidine in human plasma. Lafutidine and internal standard were isolated from plasma samples by liquid-liquid extraction with diethyl ether. The chromatographic separation was accomplished on a stainless-steel column (C18 Shim-pack 5 microm 150 mm x 2.0 mm i.d. Shimadzu) at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min by a gradient elution. Detection was performed on a single quadrupole mass spectrometer by selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode via electrospray ionization (ESI) source. The method was proved to be sensitive and specific by testing six different plasma batches. Linearity was established for the range of concentrations 1.0-400.0 ng/ml with a coefficient of determination (r) of 0.9998 and good back-calculated accuracy and precision. The intra- and inter-day precision (R.S.D.%) was lower than 10% and accuracy ranged from 85 to 115%. The lower limit of quantification was identifiable and reproducible at 0.5 ng/ml with 0.2 ml plasma. The proposed method enables the unambiguous identification and quantification of lafutidine for pharmacokinetic, bioavailability or bioequivalence studies.     

Quantitative determination of nitrendipine in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A sensitive and highly selective liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) method was developed to determine nitrendipine (4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-3, 5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid ethyl methyl ester, CAS 39562-70-4) in human plasma. The analyte and the internal standard nimodipine (CAS 66085-59-4) were extracted from plasma samples by n-hexane-isopropanol (95:5, v/v), and analyzed on a commercially available column Interfaced with a mass spectrometer. Positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) was empolyed as the ionization source. The samples were detected by the use of selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The mobile phase consisted of methanol-water (75:25, v/v). The method has a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1 ng/ml. The linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentra tions range of 0.3-40 ng/ml (r2 > or = .99). The intra- and inter-day batch precisions were lower than 10% in terms of relative standard deviation (R. S. D.), and the accuracy ranged from 85 to 110% in terms of percent accuracy. The overall extraction recoveries were determined to be about 75% on average. This validated method was successfully applied to the evaluation of the pharmacokinetic profiles of nitrendipine tablets administered to 8 Chinese healthy volunteers.     

Determination of loratadine and its active metabolite in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection

A new sensitive and selective liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method for quantification of loratadine (LOR) and its active metabolite descarboethoxyloratadine (DSL) in human plasma was validated. After addition of the internal standard, metoclopramide, the human plasma samples (0.3 ml) were precipitated using acetonitrile (0.75 ml) and the centrifuged supernatants were partially evaporated under nitrogen at 37 degrees C at approximately 0.3 ml volume. The LOR, DSL and internal standard were separated on a reversed phase column (Zorbax SB-C18, 100 mmx3.0 mm i.d., 3.5 microm) under isocratic conditions using a mobile phase of an 8:92(v/v) mixture of acetonitrile and 0.4% (v/v) formic acid in water. The flow rate was 1 ml/min and the column temperature 45 degrees C. The detection of LOR, DSL and internal standard was in MRM mode using an ion trap mass spectrometer with electrospray positive ionisation. The ion transitions were monitored as follows: 383-->337 for LOR, 311-->(259+294+282) for DSL and 300-->226.8 for internal standard. Calibration curves were generated over the range of 0.52-52.3 ng/ml for both LOR and DSL with values for coefficient of determination greater than 0.994 by using a weighted (1/y) quadratic regression. The lower limits of quantification were established at 0.52 ng/ml LOR and DSL, respectively, with an accuracy and precision less than 20%. Both analytes demonstrated good short-term, long-term, post-preparative and freeze-thaw stability. Besides its simplicity, the sample treatment allows obtaining a very good recovery of both analytes, around 100%. The validated LC/MS/MS method has been applied to a pharmacokinetic study of loratadine tablets on healthy volunteers.     

Establishment of a liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometry method for quantification of tetrandrine in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method (LC/MS/MS) for the determination of tetrandrine in rat plasma has been developed, fully validated and successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats after a single oral administration. Sample preparation involves a liquid-liquid extraction with n-hexane-dichlormethane (65:35, containing 1% 2-propanol isopropyl alcohol, v/v). Tetrandrine and brodimoprim (internal standard) were well separated by LC with a Dikma C(18) column using acetonitrile-methanol-ammonium formate aqueous solution (20mM) containing 0.3% formic acid (20:30:50, v/v/v) as mobile phase. Detection was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The ionization was optimized using ESI(+) and selectivity was achieved using MS/MS analysis, m/z 623.0-->381.0 and m/z 339.0-->281.0 for tetrandrine and I.S., respectively. The present method exhibited good linearity over the concentration range of 5-2,000 ng/mL for tetrandrine in rat plasma with a lower limit of quantification of 5 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision were 2.0-9.2% and 4.5-9.4%, and the intra- and inter-day accuracy ranged from -7.6 to 10.3% and -6.0 to 5.3%, respectively. No endogenous compounds were found to interfere with the analysis, and tetrandrine was stable during the whole assay period. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study after an intragastric administration (i.g.) of tetrandrine to SD rats with a single dose of 50mg/kg. The results confirm that the assay is suitable for the pharmacokinetic study of tetrandrine.     

LC-MS/MS方法测定Beagle犬血浆中比卡鲁胺的浓度

目的 建立灵敏的液相色谱-串联质谱法测定狗血浆中比卡鲁胺的浓度.方法 血浆样品采用乙腈蛋白沉淀方法,以0.2％甲酸-乙腈(35∶65,v/v)为流动相;采用Zorbax SB C18柱(150 mm×4.6mm,5 μm)分离,通过电喷雾电离源,以选择多反应监测(MRM)方式进行负离子检测,用于定量分析的离子反应分别为m/z428.9→254.7(比卡鲁胺)和m/z 269→169.6(内标,甲苯磺丁脲).结果 建立的体内比卡鲁胺测定方法线性范围为5～2 000 ng·mL-1,定量下限可达1 ng·mL-1.日内、日间精密度(RSD)均＜10％.结论 该方法预处理操作简洁、灵敏、专属性强,可方便用于比卡鲁胺药物的体内药动学研究.     

High-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation-mass spectrometry determination of zaleplon in human plasma

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation-mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS) method has been developed and validated for the identification and quantification of zaleplon in human plasma using estazolam as an internal standard (IS). After the addition of estazolam and 2.0 M sodium hydroxide solution, plasma samples were extracted with ethyl acetate and then the organic layer was evaporated to dryness. The reconstituted solution of the residue was injected onto a prepacked Shim-pack VP-ODS C18 (250 mm x 2.0 mm i.d.) column and chromatographed with a mobile phase comprised of methanol:water (70:30) at a flow-rate of 0.2 ml/min. Detection was performed on a single quadrupole mass spectrometer by selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode via atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source. The mean standard curve was linear (r = 0.9991) over the concentration range of 0.2-100 ng/ml and had good back-calculated accuracy and precision. The intra-day and inter-day precisions were within 10% relative standard deviation and accuracy ranged from 85% to 115%. The limit of detection was 0.1 ng/ml. The validated LC-APCI-MS method has been used successfully to study zaleplon pharmacokinetic, bioavailability and bioequivalence in 18 adult volunteers.     

Determination of arbidol in human plasma by LC-ESI-MS

A sensitive, specific and accurate method for determination of arbidol in human plasma was developed. Arbidol and internal standard were extracted from plasma samples by liquid-liquid extraction with diethyl ether. The chromatographic separation was accomplished on a Shiseido C18 3 microm analytical column (100 mm x 2.0 mm i.d.) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min isocratically. Detection was performed on a single quadrupole mass spectrometer by selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode via electrospray ionization (ESI) source. The method had a chromatographic run time of 6 min and a good linear relationship over the range 1-1000 ng/mL. The limit of quantitation for arbidol in plasma was 1 ng/mL. The intra-day and inter-day precision (R.S.D.%) was lower than 7% and accuracy ranged from 95 to 105%. The proposed method enables unambiguous identification and quantification of arbidol in vivo and has been successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of arbidol in healthy male Chinese volunteers.     

Validated LC–MS/MS assay for the determination of felbinac: Application to a preclinical pharmacokinetics study of felbinac trometamol injection in rat

A rapid and sensitive analytical method based on high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) has been developed for the determination of felbinac in rat plasma, bile, urine, feces and tissue. Sample preparation involved liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl ether–dichloromethane (60:40, v/v). Chromatography of felbinac and the internal standard probenecid was performed within 2 min on a Venusil MP C₁₈ column (100 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile–5 mM ammonium acetate containing 0.1% formic acid (pH 3.0) (80:20, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min. Detection by electrospray negative ionization mass spectrometry and multiple-reaction monitoring of the transitions of felbinac at m/z 211.1 → 167.0 and of probenecid at m/z 283.9 → 239.9 was linear over the concentration range 5–5000 ng/ml with a lower limit of quantitation of 5 ng/ml using a sample volume of only 50 μl. Intra- and inter-day precisions (as relative standard deviation, R.S.D.) were ≤7.3% and ≤6.4%, respectively, and accuracy (as relative error, R.E.) was in the range −2.1 to 7.4%. Recoveries and matrix effects were satisfactory in all the biological matrices examined. The method was applied to a preclinical pharmacokinetic study in rat involving a single intravenous injection of felbinac trometamol.