Determination of ketobemidone and its metabolites in plasma and urine using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The authors developed a sensitive, specific, and rapid liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for determining ketobemidone and its major metabolites in plasma and urine. The method involves a solid-phase extraction, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and electrospray mass spectrometry. The limit of quantification for ketobemidone and norketobemidone was 3 nmol/L. Recovery rates for ketobemidone and norketobemidone were 84.8% and 81.1%, respectively. Coefficients of variation (CV) ranged from 2.8 % to 9.5%. The method was used to determine ketobemidone and its major metabolites in clinical samples from relevant patient groups.