Improved Liquid Chromatographic Method for Acyclovir Determination in Plasma

Abstract

A simple and reproducible method for determining acyclovir (ACV) in plasma is presented. The method involved the use of acetaminophen as internal standard. A single extraction step was performed using trichloroacetic acid for protein separation. After pH adjustment, samples from the supernatent layer were directly injected into a high pressure liquid chromatograph. Components separation was perfected through manipulation of solvent combinations and pH. The acyclovir and the internal standard retention times were 8.5 and 11 min. respectively. High correlation was obtained between AUC and the drug concentration (r>0.99). Statistical analysis showed that the method is highly reproducible for ACV determination in aqueous solutions or in plasma. The mean drug recovery was better than 88%. The sensitivity obtained should enable the use of the method in future bioavailability and/or pharmacokinetic studies.