title: Measurement of tamoxifen in serum by thin-layer densitometry.
abstract: A method is described for the determination of tamoxifen in serum. The drug was extracted from the serum and separated from its metabolites by thin-layer chromatography. Irradiation of the thin-layer plate with ultra-violet light after development converted tamoxifen to a fluorescent product which could be estimated in situ by densitometry. The fluorescent product was identified as a substituted phenanthrene by thin-layer chromatography, and gas chromatography--mass spectrometry. The method allowed concentrations as low as 6.8 nmol/l serum to be measured. After an oral dose of tamoxifen (10 mg) to a female patient the maximum serum concentration (66.2 nmol/l) was achieved in 3 h. When 10 mg tamoxifen were taken twice daily for 21 days by the same patient serum concentrations of about 500 nmol/l were achieved.
mesh_terms: D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003720:Densitometry; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D013629:Tamoxifen