Gas-liquid chromatographic method for the determination of tolperisone in human plasma: pharmacokinetic and comparative bioavailability studies.

A new capillary GLC method for the determination of tolperisone in human plasma was developed. Pharmacokinetic and comparative bioavailability studies were carried out after i.v. administration and after oral administration of two different preparations of tolperisone. After i.v. administration of the drug the elimination half-life was found to be 1.55 +/- 0.7 h (mean +/- S.D.), the apparent volume of distribution to be 5.1 +/- 1.0 l/kg (mean +/- S.D.) and total body clearance to be 140.8 +/- 33.8 l/h (mean +/- S.D.). The oral bioavailability was found to be 22.3 +/- 6.3% for Mydeton tablets and 16.7 +/- 8.9% for Mydocalm tablets. There was no significant difference between the bioavailability of two oral tablets.