Simple, rapid and micro high-pressure liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of tolbutamide and carboxy tolbutamide in plasma

A rapid high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay is described for the quantitative analysis of tolbutamide and its major metabolite, carboxy tolbutamide, in plasma. An aliquot (25-100 μl) of plasma was prepared for chromatography by deproteinization as follows. One volume of plasma and 2.5 volumes of acetonitrile were vortex mixed for a few seconds and then centrifuged for approx. 1 min. A 50-μl sample of the clear supernatant was injected into the chromatograph. A μBondapak C₁₂ reversed-phase column was used with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid (45:55) at a flow-rate of 1.5 ml/min. The column effluent was monitored by a variable-wavelength UV detector set at 200 nm. Tolbutamide and its metabolite had retention times of 5.75 and 3.25 min, respectively. The procedure yields reproducible results with sensitivity adequate for routine clinical monitoring of plasma levels or for single-dose pharmacokinetic studies. A number of commonly used drugs do not interfere with the method. A single plasma sample can be analyzed in approx. 9 or 10 min.