Column liquid chromatographic assay of the dopamine reuptake inhibitor vanoxerine (GBR 12909) in human serum.

A method for the assay of the dopamine reuptake inhibitor vanoxerine (GBR 12909, I) in human serum is described. Serum was diluted in urea (8 M) and extracted using C18 extraction columns. Compound I was eluted from the columns using methanol containing 1% (v/v) ammonia. The extracts were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The limit of quantitation was 2 nM, corresponding to 1.04 ng/ml. Validation of the method showed acceptable recovery, accuracy, precision and specificity. The method has been used for drug assay in several clinical studies of the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of compound I.