Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soy isoflavone nutraceutical products by gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

Thirteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been determined in soy‐based nutraceutical products. First, an optimization of extraction procedure was performed, and a solid–liquid extraction assisted by sonication and a dilute and shoot procedure were compared, selecting the dilute and shoot approach for the extraction of target compounds, utilizing a mixture of acetone/n‐hexane (1:1 v/v) as extractant solvent. After this, a clean‐up step was needed bearing in mind the complexity of these matrices. Dispersive solid‐phase extraction, using a mixture of C₁₈ and Zr‐Sep+ (25 mg/mL each) was used. The separation was achieved by gas chromatography and detection with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. For quantification purposes, matrix‐matched calibration was used. The validation was applied at three concentration levels (20, 100 and 250 μg/kg), obtaining recoveries between 70 and 120% and precision values equal to or lower than 23%. Limits of detection and quantification were below 8 and 20 μg/kg, respectively. The method was applied in 11 samples, detecting five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at concentrations ranging from 4.1 to 18.5 μg/kg.     

Development of a sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of fenofibric acid in rat plasma

A rapid and sensitive LC‐MS/MS method for the quantification of fenofibric acid in rat plasma was developed and validated. Plasma samples were prepared by liquid–liquid extraction with a mixture of N‐hexane–dichloromethane–isopropanol (100:50:5, v/v/v). Isocratic chromatographic separation was performed on a reversed‐phase Discovery C₁₈ column (2.1 × 50 mm, 5 µm). The mobile phase was methanol–water–formic (75:25:0.25, v/v/v). Detection of fenofibric acid and the internal standard (IS) diclofenac acid was achieved by ESI MS/MS in the negative ion mode using m/z 317 → m/z 213 and m/z 294 → m/z 250 transitions, respectively. The method was linear from 0.005 to 1.250 µg/mL when 100 μL plasma was analyzed. The lower limit of quantification was 0.005 µg/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision values were below 8.2%, and accuracy ranged from ?0.9 to 2.1% in all quality control samples. The recovery was 90.3–94.7% and 83.3% for fenofibric acid and IS, respectively. Total run time for each sample analysis was 2.5 min. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in six rats after oral administration of fenofibrate, the ester prodrug of fenofibric acid (equivalent to fenofibric acid 5 mg/kg). The method permits laboratory scientists with access to the appropriate instrumentation to perform rapid fenofibric acid determination. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantification of β‐eudesmol in rat plasma using LC–MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive and specific LC–MS/MS assay for determination of β ‐eudesmol in rat plasma was developed and validated. After liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl ether , the analyte and IS were separated on a Capcell Pak C₁₈ column (50 × 2.0 mm, 5 μm) by isocratic elution with acetonitrile—water–formic acid (77.5:22.5:0.1, v /v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. An ESI source was applied and operated in positive ion mode; a selected reaction monitoring scan was used for quantification by monitoring the precursor–product ion transitions of m/z 245.1 → 163.1 for β ‐eudesmol and m/z 273.4 → 81.2 for IS. Good linearity was observed in the concentration range of 3–900 ng/mL for β ‐eudesmol in rat plasma. Intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy were both within ±14.3%. This method was applied for pharmacokinetic studies after intravenous bolus of 2.0 mg/kg or intragastric administration of 50 mg/kg β ‐eudesmol in rats.     

LC‐MS/MS determination of pogostone in rat plasma and its application in pharmacokinetic studies

Pogostone is an important constituent of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth., and possesses various known bioactivities. A rapid, simple and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method was developed for the analysis of pogostone in rat plasma using chrysophanol as internal standard (IS). The analytes were extracted with methanol and separated using a reversed‐phase YMC‐UltraHT Pro C₁₈ column. Elution was achieved with a mobile phase consisting of methanol–water (75:25, v/v) for 5 min at a flow rate of 400 μL/min. The precursor/product transitions (m/z) under MS/MS detection with negative electrospray ionization (ESI) were 223.0 → 139.0 and 253.1 → 224.9 for pogostone and IS, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range 0.05–160 µg/mL (r = 0.9996). The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy and precision were within ±10%. The validated method was successfully applied to the preclinical pharmacokinetic investigation of pogostone in rats after intravenous (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) and oral administration (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg). Finally, the oral absolute bioavailability of pogostone in rats was calculated to be 70.39, 78.18 and 83.99% for 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of cefuroxime lysine in rat brain microdialysates by ultra‐fast liquid chromatography with UV and tandem mass spectrometry: application to an acute toxicokinetic study

Cefuroxime lysine is a new second‐generation cephalosporins, which can penetrate the blood–brain barrier to cure the meningitis. In order to investigate its acute toxicokinetic study after intraperitoneal injection of 675 mg/kg cefuroxime lysine, a sensitive and clean ultra‐fast liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC‐MS/MS) method for the determination of cefuroxime lysine in microdialysate samples was developed and validated, which was compared with UFLC‐UV as a reference method. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Shim‐pack XR‐ODS C₁₈ column (75 × 3.0 mm, 2.2 µm), with an isocratic elution of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile–0.1% formic acid in water (45:55, v/v) for LC‐MS and acetonitrile–20 mm potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3.0,20:80, v/v) for LC‐UV. The lower limit of detection was 0.01 µg/mL for LC‐MS and 0.1 µg/mL for LC‐UV method, with the same corresponding linearity range of 0.1–50 µg/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (relative standard deviation) for both methods were from 1.1 to 8.9%, while the accuracy was all within ±10.9%. The results of both methods were finally compared using paired t‐test; the results indicated that the concentrations measured by the two methods correlated significantly (p < 0.05), which suggested that the two methods based on LC‐MS and LC‐UV were suitable for the acute toxicokinetic study. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multiplug filtration clean‐up with multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the analysis of pesticide residues using LC–ESI‐MS/MS

A novel design for a rapid clean‐up method was developed for the analysis of pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables followed by LC–ESI‐MS/MS. The acetonitrile‐based sample extraction technique was used to obtain the extracts, and further clean‐up was carried out by applying the streamlined procedure on a multiplug filtration clean‐up column coupled with a syringe. The sorbent used for clean‐up in this research is multiwalled carbon nanotubes, which was mixed with anhydrous magnesium sulfate to remove water from the extracts. This method was validated on 40 representative pesticides and apple, cabbage, and potato sample matrices spiked at two concentration levels of 10 and 100 μg/kg. It exhibited recoveries between 71 and 117% for most pesticides with RSDs < 15%. Matrix‐matched calibrations were performed with the coefficients of determination >0.995 for most studied pesticides between concentration levels of 10–500 μg/L. The LOQs for 40 pesticides ranged from 2 to 50 μg/kg. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of pesticide residues in market fruit and vegetable samples.     

A rapid method with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of five type B trichothecenes in traditional Chinese medicines

A speedy and selective ultra‐HPLC‐MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of deoxynivalenol (DON), 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol (3‐ADON), 15‐ADON, nivalenol and fusarenon X in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) was developed. The method was based on one‐step sample cleanup using reliable homemade cleanup cartridges. A linear gradient mobile‐phase system, consisting of water containing 0.2% aqueous ammonia and acetonitrile/methanol (90:10, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min, and an Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) were employed to obtain the best resolution of the target analytes. [¹³C₁₅]–DON was used as the internal standard to accomplish as accurate as possible quantitation. The established method was further validated by determining the linearity (R²≥0.9990), sensitivity (LOQ, 0.29–0.99 μg/kg), recovery (88.5–119.5%) and precision (RSD≤15.8%). It was shown to be a suitable method for simultaneous determination of DON, 3‐ADON, 15‐ADON, nivalenol and fusarenon X in various TCM matrices. The utility and practical impact of the method was demonstrated using different TCM samples.     

Multi-residue determination of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides in environmental samples using solid-phase extraction with cigarette filter followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A solid‐phase extraction (SPE) method was developed to extract 14 pesticides simultaneously from environment samples using cigarette filter as the sorbent before gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis. Parameters influencing the extraction efficiency, such as the sample loading flow rate, eluent and elution volume, were optimized. The optimum sample loading rate was 3 mL/min, and the retained compounds were eluted with 6 mL of eluent at 1 mL/min under vacuum. Good linearity was obtained for all the 14 pesticides (r²>0.99) from 0.1 to 20 μg/L for water and from 2 to 400 μg/kg for soil samples. The detection limits (signal‐to‐noise=3) of the proposed method ranged from 0.01 to 0.20 μg/L for water samples and from 0.42 to 6.95 μg/kg for soil samples. The developed method was successfully applied for determination of the analytes in real environmental samples, and the mean recoveries ranged from 76.4 to 103.7% for water samples and from 79.9 to 105.3% for soil samples with the precisions (relative standard deviation) between 2.0 and 13.6%.     

Development and validation of a UHPLC‐MS/MS bioanalytical method to quantify in plasma the analgesic candidate PT‐31 following a preliminary pharmacokinetic study in rats

A selective and sensitive UHPLC‐MS/MS bioanalytical method to determine PT‐31, an analgesic drug candidate, in rat plasma was developed and validated. Analyses were performed using a UHPLC‐MS/MS system equipped with an electrospray ionization interface operating in the positive ionization mode using a C₁₈ reversed‐phase column with a mobile phase of water:acetonitrile (68:31, v/v) containing 0.1% acetic acid eluting in a gradient mode with a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Plasma samples were deproteinized with cold acetonitrile containing 0.01% TFA (1:2, v/v) and 50 μL of the supernatant were injected into the system. PT‐31 and phenytoin (internal standard) retention times were roughly 1.0 and 1.5 min, respectively. Linear standard curves were plotted for the 0.01–10 µg/mL concentration range, with a coefficient of determination > 0.99. The method's precision was over 88%. Maximum intra‐ and inter‐day relative standard deviations were 14.6% and 11.6%, respectively. Interfering substances were not detected in the chromatogram, indicating that the method was specific. PT‐31 stability was assessed under different temperature and storage settings. The method was used to characterize PT‐31 plasma pharmacokinetics following administration of 5 mg/kg i.v. to Wistar rats. Therefore, the method described is sensitive, linear, precise and specific enough to determine PT‐31 in preclinical pharmacokinetic investigations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of ospemifene in human plasma by LC–MS/MS and its application to a human pharmacokinetic study

A highly sensitive, specific and rapid liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analytical method has been developed and validated for the determination of ospemifene in human plasma using ospemifene‐d₄ as an internal standard. Solid‐phase extraction technique with Phenomenex Strata X‐33 μm polymeric sorbent cartridges (30 mg/1 mL) was used to extract the analytes from the plasma. The chromatographic separation was achieved on Agilent Eclipse XDB‐Phenyl, 4.6 × 75 mm, 3.5 μm column using the mobile phase composition of methanol and 20 mm ammonium formate buffer (90:10, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.9 mL/min. A detailed method validation was performed as per the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines and the calibration curve obtained was linear (r² = 99) over the concentration range 5.02–3025 ng/mL. The API‐4500 MS/MS was operated under multiple reaction monitoring mode during the analysis. The proposed method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in healthy human volunteers after oral administration of an ospemifene 60 mg tablet under fed conditions.     

Determination of terbinafine in human plasma using UPLC–MS/MS: Application to a bioequivalence study in healthy subjects

A high‐throughput and sensitive ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) method has been developed for the determination of terbinafine in human plasma. The method employed liquid–liquid extraction of terbinafine and terbinafine‐d7 (used as internal standard) from 100 μL human plasma with ethyl acetate–n‐hexane (80:20, v/v) solvent mixture. Chromatography was performed on a BEH C₁₈ (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column using acetonitrile–8.0 mm ammonium formate, pH 3.5 (85:15, v/v) under isocratic elution. For quantitative analysis, MS/MS ion transitions were monitored at m/z 292.2/141.1 and m/z 299.1/148.2 for terbinafine and terbinafine‐d7, respectively, using electrospray ionization in the positive mode. The method was validated according to regulatory guidance for selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, recovery, matrix effect, stability, dilution reliability and ruggedness with acceptable accuracy and precision. The method shows good linearity over the tested concentration range from 1.00 to 2000 ng/mL (r² ≥ 0.9984). The intra‐batch and inter‐batch precision (CV) was 1.8–3.2 and 2.1–4.5%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study with 250 mg terbinafine in 32 healthy subjects. The major advantage of this method includes higher sensitivity, small plasma volume for processing and a short analysis time.     

LC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis and pharmacokinetics of heterophyllin B,a cyclic octapeptide from Pseudostellaria heterophylla in rat plasma

Heterophyllin B (HB) is a cyclic octapeptide isolated from Pseudostellaria heterophylla. HB is used as the quality control index for evaluating P. heterophylla in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. A rapid and sensitive LC‐ESI‐MS/MS method was developed and validated for the analysis of HB in rat plasma. Sample preparation consisted of a solid‐phase extraction step for the removal of interference and preconcentration of the target analyte HB and the internal standard N‐acetylcysteine before chromatographic analysis by MS/MS detection. The separation of HB and N‐acetylcysteine was performed using a Hypersil GOLD^TM C₁₈ column and a mixture of methanol–water (60:40, v/v) containing 10 mmol/L ammonium formate and 0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase. The determination step was optimized in the selected reaction monitoring mode for the highly selective and sensitive quantitation of HB in rat plasma. Intra‐ and inter‐assay precision (as relative standard deviation) was ≤9.1%, and accuracy was between 92.6 and 102.7%. The validated method was successfully applied to quantify HB concentrations up to 7 h after tail intravenous injections of 2.08, 4.16 and 8.32 mg/kg HB in rats. The LC‐MS/MS method identified the relevant pharmacokinetic parameters of HB and its studied analog. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of di‐(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate in environmental samples by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

Di‐(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) was determined in environmental samples such as water and soil. DEHP was extracted from water samples using SPE, whereas for soils pressurized liquid extraction was applied as extraction method, using hexane/acetone (1:1, v/v) as extractant solvent. The use of HPLC coupled to MS provides the basis of the selective determination of DEHP in the analyzed samples. The extraction procedures were validated and good results were found. Recoveries were ranged from 86.0 to 99.8% with RSD lower than 18% and LODs were 0.02 mg/kg and 0.03 μg/L for soils and water, respectively. Finally, the optimized methods were applied to the analysis of real samples and DEHP was not found above the LOQ (0.05 mg/kg) in soil samples whereas it was detected in water samples at concentrations ranging between 0.19 to 0.88 μg/L.     

Multiresidue pesticides analysis in soils using modified QuEChERS with disposable pipette extraction and dispersive solid‐phase extraction

QuEChERS original method was modified into a new version for pesticides determination in soils. The QuEChERS method is based on liquid–liquid portioning with ACN and was followed by cleanup step using dispersive SPE and disposable pipette tips. Gas chromatographic separation with MS detection was carried out for pesticides quantification. The method was validated using recovery experiments for 36 multiclass pesticides. Mean reco‐veries of pesticides at each of the four spiking levels between 10–300 μg/kg of soil ranged from 70–120% for 26 pesticides with RSD values less than 15%. The method achieved low limit of detection less than 7.6 μg/kg. Matrix effects were observed for 13 pesticides. Matrix effects were compensated by using matrix‐matched calibration. The method was applied successfully using d‐SPE or DPX in the analysis of the pesticides in soils from organic farming and integrated pest management.     

A high‐throughput LC–MS/MS method for determination of flunarizine in human plasma: Pharmacokinetic study with different doses

A high‐throughput and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the determination of flunarizine in human plasma. Liquid–liquid extraction under acidic conditions was used to extract flunarizine and flunarizine‐d8 from 100 μL human plasma. The mean extraction recovery obtained for flunarizine was 98.85% without compromising the sensitivity of the method. The chromatographic separation was performed on Hypersil Gold C₁₈ (50 × 2.1 mm, 3 μm) column using methanol–10 mm ammonium formate, pH 3.0 (90:10, v/v) as the mobile phase. A tandem mass spectrometer (API‐5500) equipped with an electrospray ionization source in the positive ion mode was used for detection of flunarizine. Multiple reaction monitoring was selected for quantitation using the transitions, m/z 405.2 → 203.2 for flunarizine and m/z 413.1 → 203.2 for flunarizine‐d8. The validated concentration range was established from 0.10 to 100 ng/mL. The accuracy (96.1–103.1%), intra‐batch and inter‐batch precision (CV ≤ 5.2%) were satisfactory and the drug was stable in human plasma under all tested conditions. The method was used to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of 5 and 10 mg flunarizine tablet formulation in 24 healthy subjects. The pharmacokinetic parameters C_max and AUC were dose‐proportional.     

A rapid MCM‐41 dispersive micro‐solid phase extraction coupled with LC/MS/MS for quantification of ketoconazole and voriconazole in biological fluids

A rapid dispersive micro‐solid phase extraction (D‐μ‐SPE) combined with LC/MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of ketoconazole and voriconazole in human urine and plasma samples. Synthesized mesoporous silica MCM‐41 was used as sorbent in d ‐μ‐SPE of the azole compounds from biological fluids. Important D‐μ‐SPE parameters, namely type desorption solvent, extraction time, sample pH, salt addition, desorption time, amount of sorbent and sample volume were optimized. Liquid chromatographic separations were carried out on a Zorbax SB‐C₁₈ column (2.1 × 100 mm, 3.5 μm), using a mobile phase of acetonitrile–0.05% formic acid in 5 mm ammonium acetate buffer (70:30, v /v). A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with positive ionization mode was used for the determination of target analytes. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curves showed good linearity in the range of 0.1–10,000 μg/L with satisfactory limit of detection (≤0.06 μg/L) and limit of quantitation (≤0.3 μg/L). The proposed method also showed acceptable intra‐ and inter‐day precisions for ketoconazole and voriconazole from urine and human plasma with RSD ≤16.5% and good relative recoveries in the range 84.3–114.8%. The MCM‐41‐D‐μ‐SPE method proved to be rapid and simple and requires a small volume of organic solvent (200 μL); thus it is advantageous for routine drug analysis.     

Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometric method for determination of E121 in mouse plasma and its application to pharmacokinetics

A rapid LC‐MS/MS method for quantification of an enaminone analog, E121 in mouse plasma using E118 as an internal standard (IS) has been developed and validated. The analyte was analyzed on C₁₈ column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile/methanol/ammonium acetate/formic acid (60:20:20:0.025, v/v/v/v) at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. Quantitation was achieved using ESI+ interface, employing MRM mode at m/z 308>262 and 222>194 for E121 and IS, respectively. The calibration standards were linear over a range of 0.10–20 μg/mL (r²>0.99) with an LLOQ of 0.1 μg/mL (RSD%; 11.4% and bias%; 9.5%). Intra‐ and inter‐run precision of E121 assay ranged from 3.7 to 10.9% with accuracy (bias) that varied between ?10.0 and 12.0%, demonstrating good precision and accuracy. Recoveries of E121 and the IS from plasma were above 80%. Stability of E121 in plasma showed that the analyte was stable under various conditions. The matrix effect study showed a lack of effect. The applicability of the developed method was demonstrated by measuring E121 in mouse plasma samples following intraperitoneal administration of various doses ranging from 10 to 100 mg/kg and this study demonstrates that E121 exhibits linear kinetics in the dose range studied.     

High‐sensitive LC‐MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of mirodenafil and its major metabolite,SK‐3541, in human plasma: Application to microdose clinical trials of mirodenafil

A high‐sensitivity LC/MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of mirodenafil and its major metabolite, SK‐3541, in human plasma. Mirodenafil, SK‐3541, and udenafil as an internal standard were extracted from plasma samples with methyl tert‐butyl ether. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Luna phenyl‐hexyl column (100 × 2.0 mm) with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of 5 mM ammonium formate and ACN (23:77, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.35 mL/min. Detection and quantification were performed using a mass spectrometer in selected reaction monitoring mode with positive ESI at m/z 532.3 → 296.1 for mirodenafil, m/z 488.1 → 296.1 for SK‐3541, and m/z 517.3 → 283.2 for udenafil. The calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 2–500 pg/mL using 0.5 mL plasma for the microdose of mirodenafil (100 μg). Analytical method validation of the clinical dose (100 mg), with a calibration curve range of 2–500 ng/mL using 0.025‐mL plasma, was also conducted. The other LC‐MS/MS conditions were similar to those used for the microdosing. Each method was applied successfully to pharmacokinetic studies after a microdose or clinical dose of mirodenafil to six healthy Korean male volunteers.     

加速溶剂萃取-气相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定贝类中64种农药残留

建立了加速溶剂同步萃取净化-气相色谱-串联质谱（GC-MS/MS）同时测定贝类中64种农药残留的方法。加速溶剂萃取的萃取溶剂为90%（v/v）乙腈水溶液,萃取温度为85℃、冲洗体积60%萃取池体积、循环次数1次,同时使用0.8 g N-丙基乙二胺（PSA）和0.8 g石墨化炭黑（GCB）在线净化,提取液浓缩定容后,在多反应监测（MRM）模式下测定,外标法定量。结果表明,64种农药在10.0~1000 μg/L范围内呈现良好的线性关系,决定系数（r²）均大于0.989,方法的定量限为2.0~10.0 μg/kg;对文蛤空白基质进行加标回收试验,添加水平为5.0、10.0和100 μg/kg以及定量限水平,得到的平均回收率为69.4%~129.7%,精密度为0.7%~16.0%（n=6）。该方法提取和净化同步完成,操作简单,重复性好,灵敏度高,能够满足于贝类水产品中多种农药残留的同时筛查。     

Quantitative determination of dipyridamole in human plasma by high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

Dipyridamole is a classic platelet inhibitor which has been a key medicine in clinical therapy of thrombosis and cerebrovascular disease. A rapid, selective and convenient method using high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS) was developed for determination of dipyridamole in human plasma. After protein precipitation of 200 μL plasma with methanol, dipyridamole and diazepam (internal standard) were chromatographed on an Ultimate? XB‐C₁₈ (50 × 2.1 mm i.d, 3 μ) column with the mobile phase consisting of methanol–ammonium acetate (5 mM ; 80 : 20, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring mode via positive eletrospray ionization source (ESI⁺). The retention times of dipyridamole and diazepam were 1.4 and 1.2 min, respectively. The method was validated over a concentration range of 0.0180–4.50 μg/mL (r² ≥ 0.99) with a lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of 0.0180 μg/mL for dipyridamole. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (RSD) of the assay at all three QC levels were 1.6–12.7% with an accuracy (RE) of ?4.3–1.9%, which meets the requirements of the FDA guidance. The HPLC‐MS/MS method herein described was proved to be suitable for pharmacokinetic study of sustained‐release dipyridamole tablet in volunteers after oral administration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.