Determination of benoxaprofen [2-(4-chlorophenyl)-alpha-methyl-5-benzoxazoleacetic acid, LRCL 3794] in biological fluids.

Benoxaprofen, a novel anti-inflammatory compound, is efficiently (greater than 95%) extracted from plasma and urine in the pH range 1 to 5 into either chloroform or ether. The compound is determined either by UV spectroscopy or by gas-liquid chromatography of the methyl ester (formed by reaction with diazomethane) on a column of 3% of silicone gum E-301 on DCMS-treated Chromosorb W, with detection by flame ionisation (limit 0.3 microgram/ml) or electron capture (limit 0.01 microgram/ml). For rapid routine use, the UV method (limit ca. 5 microgram/ml) gives good agreement with the specific methods.