The determination of metoclopramide in plasma by reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography.
Methodology based on reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography is described for the determination of metoclopramide in plasma. The chromatography was optimized in terms of the peak shape for the drug and its resolution from endogenous plasma components by investigating the effects of quaternary ammonium (competing) ions and alkylsulphate (pairing) ions in an acidic mobile phase containing acetonitrile (20%) and 20 mM acetic acid. Optimum chromatographic conditions were obtained with an ODS-Hypersil column and a mobile phase containing 20% acetonitrile, 20 mM acetic acid, 0.6 mM sodium octylsulphate and 0.5 mM tetrabutylammonium chloride. A simplified method of sample preparation is described in which only 1 ml of plasma is required. The limit of detection (at 310 nm) was 7 ng/ml and no interference from endogenous plasma components or from any drugs commonly used in the treatment of cancer was observed. Consequently the methodology should be applicable to pharmacokinetic studies on metoclopramide, when used clinically to control the gastro-intestinal side-effects of chemotherapy.
Riley
C M
CM
Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, J. Hillis Miller Health Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.