title: A simple microanalytical technique for the determination of paracetamol and its main metabolites in blood spots.
abstract: The use of blood spot collection cards is a simple way to obtain specimens for analysis of drugs with a narrow therapeutic window. We describe the development and validation of a microanalytical technique for the determination of paracetamol and its glucuronide and sulphate metabolites from blood spots. The method is based on reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The limit of detection of the method is 600 pg on column for paracetamol. Intra- and inter-day precision of the determination of paracetamol was 7.1 and 3.2% respectively. The small volume of blood required (20 microl), combined with the simplicity of the analytical technique makes this a useful procedure for monitoring paracetamol concentrations. The method was applied to the analysis of blood spots taken from neonates being treated with paracetamol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, SIBS, University of Strathclyde, 27 Taylor Street, G4 0NR, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Morton
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008832:Microchemistry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen