Minoxidil analysis in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Application to pharmacokinetic studies.

A method is described for determination of minoxidil in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The method is specific and sensitive (500 pg/ml), however, minoxidil and minoxidil sulfate cannot be differentiated due to rapid autohydrolysis of minoxidil sulfate to minoxidil. The extraction procedure employs a C18 preparatory column to remove endogenous plasma constituents which would interfere with the assays. The calibration curves are linear for concentrations from 500 pg to 10 ng/ml. Within-day and between-day reproducibility are satisfactory with coefficient of variation less than 5.7% for all concentrations. Sample recovery from extraction is consistent at 45 to 55% at low and high concentrations, respectively. A pharmacokinetic study in a hypertensive volunteer receiving two different oral doses of minoxidil (1.25 and 2.5 mg) on different occasions demonstrates the utility of the method.