Measurement of methsuximide and N-desmethylmethsuximide using solid-phase extraction and wide-bore capillary gas chromatography

A method for the determination of the anti-epileptic drug methsuximide (MSM) and its active metabolite N-desmethylmethsuximide (NDM) is presented. 5-Methyl-5-phenylhydantoin is used as the internal standard. A simple solid-phase extraction procedure utilizing disposable reversed-phase C18 columns is described. Samples are analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection using a wide-bore capillary column with a permanently bonded, non-polar stationary phase. The MSM assay possesses linearity to 6.0 micrograms/mL, sensitivity to 0.5 microgram/mL, recovery ranging from 93 to 110%, and precision reflected by a SD of +/- 0.37 microgram/mL. The NDM assay displays linearity up to 80.0 micrograms/mL, sensitivity to 5.0 micrograms/mL, recovery of 90 to 100%, and precision reflected by a SD +/- 0.90 microgram/dL. Lack interference is documented for 6 commonly prescribed anti-epileptic drugs and 4 drugs with similar retention times on this stationary phase; only guaifenesin was found to potentially interfere with the determination of methsuximide. We conclude that the method reported here is ideally suited for monitoring therapeutic and toxic levels of this anti-epileptic drug.