A gas chromatographic method for determining haloperidol

Summary A quick, specific and precise method for determining haloperidol in serum is described. The method is based on gas chromatography and the use of a structurally similar internal standard. Serum concentrations of haloperidol determined in patients treated with haloperidol, were in the range of 0.5 to 10 ng/ml. The precision of the method was ±8.3%. Of the many drugs tested so far, only thioridazine and dibenzepim interfere with the determinations. Preliminary pharmacokinetic studies based on the intravenous injection of haloperidol demontrated typical apparent volumes of distribution as large as 2,000 l and serum half-lives of 12.6–22.0 hrs. Inter-individual differences in these parameters were demonstrated.This study was supported from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Göteborg and from the Leo Limited Helsingborg Research Foundation.