Detection of Anabolic Steroids By Gc/Sim/Ms With Trifluoroacetylation in Equine Plasma and Urine

ABSTRACT

A method to detect three anabolic steroids (boldenone, nandrolone and mesterolone) is presented. The anabolic steroids are isolated from equine plasma and urine by extraction with diethyl ether and C₁₈ Sep-Pak cartridge adsorption, respectively. The extracts obtained were derivatized with trifluoroacetyl anhydride and analyzed by GC/SIM/MS. The selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode was applied to increase the sensitivity and, when possible, the higher m/z ions were selected to improve identification. Stability of derivatives was good and compounds having hydroxy and conjugated ketone groups produced trifluoroacetyl ester derivatives that were also stable. Repeatability of the chromatographic analysis was evaluated on the basis of area repeatability, and the coefficient of variation obtained was lower than 4.4. The detection limit was 1 and 5 ng/ml for all the anabolic steroids studied in equine plasma and urine, respectively.     

气相色谱-质谱法测定血浆中双氯芬酸钠的含量

提出了应用气相色谱-质谱法测定血浆中双氯芬酸钠含量。血浆样品中双氯芬酸钠经盐酸提取,并加入三甲基硅烷衍生化试剂进行衍生化,所得衍生化产物经萃取、净化后供气相色谱分离及质谱测定。采用选择离子质谱扫描方式,供试品双氯芬酸钠-三甲基硅烷衍生物定量选择离子检测质荷比为m/z367,内标物布洛芬-三甲基硅烷衍生物定量选择离子检测质荷比为m/z263。双氯芬酸钠的线性范围为0.005～5.0mg·mL-1,检出限(3S/N)为0.5μg.L-1。方法回收率在94.6%～97.4%之间,日内、日间相对标准偏差(n=6)均小于5%。     

Development and validation of a sensitive UHPLC–MS/MS method for quantitative analysis of farrerol in rat plasma: Application to pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies

Farrerol is a 2,3‐dihydro‐flavonoid isolated from rhododendron. In this study, a sensitive and selective ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of farrerol in rat plasma. Liquid–liquid extraction by ethyl ether was used for sample preparation. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an Agilent UHPLC XDB‐C₁₈ column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.8 μm) with water and methanol (30:70, v /v) as the mobile phase. An electrospray source was applied and operated in negative ion mode; selection reaction monitoring was used for quantification using target fragment ions m/z 299 → 179 for farrerol and m/z 267 → 252 for internal standard. Calibration plots were linear in the range of 2.88–1440 ng/mL for farrerol in rat plasma. Intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were <11.6%, and the accuracy ranged from −13.9 to 11.9%. The UHPLC–MS/MS method was successfully applied in pharmacokinetics and bioavailability studies of farrerol in rats.     

An LC–MS/MS assay for the quantitative determination of 2‐pyridyl acetic acid,a major metabolite and key surrogate for betahistine,using low‐volume human K2EDTA plasma

Betahistine is widely used for the treatment of vertigo. Owing to first‐pass metabolism, 2‐pyridyl acetic acid (2PAA, major metabolite of betahistine) was considered as surrogate for quantitation. A specific and sensitive LC–MS/MS method was developed and validated for quantitation of 2PAA using turbo‐ion spray in a positive ion mode. A solid‐phase extraction was employed for the extraction of 2PAA and 2PAA d₆ (IS) from human plasma. Chromatographic separation of analytes was achieved using an ACE CN, 5 μm (50 × 4.6 mm) column with a gradient mobile phase comprising acetonitrile–methanol (90:10% v /v) and 0.7% v/v formic acid in 0.5 mm ammonium trifluoroacetate in purified water (100% v/v). The retention times of 1.15 and 1.17 min for 2PAA and internal standard, respectively, were achieved. Quantitation of 2PAA and internal standard was achieved by monitoring multiple reaction monitoring transition pairs (m /z 138.1 to m /z 92.0 and m /z 142.1 to m /z 96.1, respectively). The developed method was validated for various parameters. The calibration curves of 2PAA showed linearity from 5.0 to 1500 ng/mL, with a lower limit of quantitation of 5.0 ng/mL. The bias and precision for inter‐ and intra‐batch assays were <10%. The developed method was used to support clinical sample analysis.     

An LC–MS/MS method for the quantification of diclofenac sodium in dairy cow plasma and its application in pharmacokinetics studies

An LC–MS/MS method with internal standard tolfenamic acid for determining diclofenac sodium (DCF) in dairy cow plasma was developed and validated. Samples were processed with protein precipitation by cold formic acid–acetonitrile. Determination of DCF was performed using LC–ESI⁺–MS/MS with the matrix‐matched calibration curve. The results showed that the method was sensitive (LOD 2 ng mL^?1, LOQ 5 ng mL^?1), accurate (97.60 ± 5.64%), precise (<10%) and linear in the range of 5–10,000 ng mL^?1. A single intravenous (i.v.) or intramuscular (i.m.) administration of 5% diclofenac sodium injection at a dose of 2.2 mg kg^?1 was performed in six healthy dairy cows according to a two‐period crossover design. The main pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters after a single i.v. administration were as follows: t_1/2β, 4.52 ± 1.71 h; AUC, 77.79 ± 16.76 h μg mL^?1; mean residence time, 5.16 ± 1.11 h. The main PK parameters after a single i.m. administration were as follows: T_max, 2.38 ± 1.19 h; C_max, 7.46 ± 1.85 μg mL^?1; t_1/2β, 9.46 ± 2.86 h; AUC 67.57 ± 13.07 h μg mL^?1. The absolute bioavailability was 87.37 ± 5.96%. The results showed that the diclofenac sodium injection had PK characteristics of rapid absorption and slow elimination, and high peak concentration and bioavailability in dairy cows, and that the recommended clinical dosage of diclofenac sodium injection is 2.2 mg kg^?1.     

Development of an LC–MS/MS method for quantification of two pairs of isomeric flavonoid glycosides and other ones in rat plasma: Application to pharmacokinetic studies

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of six flavonoid glycosides – isoorientin ( 1 ), orientin ( 2 ), 2″‐O‐β ‐d ‐xylopyranosyl isoorientin ( 3 ), 2″‐O‐β ‐d ‐xylopyranosyl isovitexin ( 4 ), 6‐C‐l ‐α ‐arabipyranosyl vitexin ( 5 ) and vitexin ( 6 ) – in rat plasma using isoquercitrin as the internal standard (IS). Plasma samples were prepared by a one‐step protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Chromatographic analysis was carried out on a 25 cm C₁₈ column with a gradient mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous formic acid. Six analytes and IS were detected through electrospray ionization in negative‐ion selection reaction monitoring mode. The mass transitions were as follows: m/z 447.2 → 327.0 for 1 , m/z 447.2 → 327.0 for 2 , m/z 579.3 → 458.9 for 3 , m/z 563.0 → 293.1 for 4 , m/z 563.0 → 353.0 for 5 , m/z 431.1 → 311.1 for 6 , and m/z 463.1 → 300.2 for IS. Calibration curves exhibited good linearity (r ² > 0.9908) over a wide concentration range for all compounds. Intra‐ and inter‐day precision (RSD, %) at four different levels were both <14.2% and the accuracy (RE, %) ranged from −11.9 to 12.0%. The extraction recoveries of the six components ranged from 88.2 to 103.6%. The validated assay was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic studies of the six components in male rat plasma after intravenous administration of total flavonoids of Scorzonera austriaca Wild.     

GC-ITD analysis of chlortoluron and its metabolites in cereals

Summary Chlortoluron and its metabolites have been determined in cereals by gas chromatography. Chlortoluron is pyrolyzed to the corresponding phenylisocyanate, which is determined by GC with nitrogen-phosphorous detection (NPD) and confirmed by GC with ion trap detection (ITD).N-demethyl metabolites of chlortoluron are determined, after conversion to the perfluoroacyl derivatives, by GC with ion trap detection by single ion monitoring;N-ethyl-p-chloroacetanilide is used as internal standard. The hydroxymethyl metabolite, mainly present as -glucoside, can be analyzed, after enzymatic hydrolysis with -glucosidase and conversion to the ethyl derivative, by GC with ion trap detection by SIM;N-ethylchlortoluron is used as internal standard.The methods proposed are reproducible and sensitive enough for determination of these compounds at residue levels in cereals.     

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.     

Pharmacokinetic study of ardisiacrispin A in rat plasma after intravenous administration by UPLC–MS/MS

In this work, a sensitive and selective UPLC‐MS/MS method for determination of ardisiacrispin A in rat plasma was developed. Cyasterone used as an internal standard (IS) and protein precipitation by acetonitrile–methanol (9:1, v /v) was used to prepare samples. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a UPLC BEH C₁₈ column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase with gradient elution. An electrospray ionization source was applied and operated in positive ion mode; multiple reaction monitoring mode was used for quantification using target fragment ions m /z 1083.5 → 407.1 for ardisiacrispin A and m /z 521.3 → 485.2 for IS. Calibration plots were linear throughout the range 5–2000 ng/mL for ardisiacrispin A in rat plasma. Mean recoveries of ardisiacrispin A in rat plasma ranged from 80.4 to 92.6%. The values of RSD of intra‐ and inter‐day precision were both <11%. The accuracy of the method was between 97.3 and 105.6%. The method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study of ardisiacrispin A after intravenous administration in rats.     

Quantification of zolpidem in human plasma by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A simple and robust method for quantification of zolpidem in human plasma has been established using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI MS/MS). Es-citalopram was used as an internal standard. Zolpidem and internal standard in plasma sample were extracted using solid-phase extraction cartridges (Oasis HLB, 1 cm3/30 mg). The samples were injected into a C8 reversed-phase column and the mobile phase used was acetonitrile-ammonium acetate (pH 4.6; 10 mm) (80:20, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min. Using MS/MS in the selected reaction-monitoring (SRM) mode, zolpidem and Es-citalopram were detected without any interference from human plasma matrix. Zolpidem produced a protonated precursor ion ([M+H]+) at m/z 308.1 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 235.1. The internal standard produced a protonated precursor ion ([M+H]+) at m/z 325.1 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 262.1. Detection of zolpidem in human plasma by the LC-ESI MS/MS method was accurate and precise with a quantification limit of 2.5 ng/mL. The proposed method was validated in the linear range 2.5-300 ng/mL. Reproducibility, recovery and stability of the method were evaluated. The method has been successfully applied to bioequivalence studies of zolpidem.     

Quantification of morusin using LC–MS in rat plasma: Application to a pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive LC–MS method was developed for the quantification of morusin in rat plasma using praeruptorin C as internal standard. After extraction with diethyl ether, post‐treatment samples were chromatographed on a Hypersil C₁₈ column. An isocratic mobile phase consisting of methanol–water (70:30, v /v) was applied at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Detection was performed via electrospray ionization source with positive ion mode using selected ion monitoring mode at m/z 443.1 for morusin and m/z 451.0 for IS. Acceptable linearity (r ² ≥ 0.99) was observed over the concentration range of 1.5–800 ng/mL. This method was successfully applied in the pharmacokinetics study of morusin in rats.     

Determination of Penicillium griseofulvum‐oriented pyripyropene A,a selective inhibitor of acyl‐coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 2, in mouse plasma using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and its application to pharmacokinetic studies

In this study, we developed a method for the determination of Penicillium griseofulvum‐oriented pyripyropene A (PPPA), a selective inhibitor of acyl‐coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 2, in mouse and human plasma and validated it using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Pyripyropene A (PPPA) and an internal standard, carbamazepine, were separated using a Xterra MS C18 column with a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase. The ion transitions monitored in positive‐ion mode [M + H]⁺ of multiple‐reaction monitoring (MRM) were m/z 148.0 from m/z 584.0 for PPPA and m/z 194.0 from m/z 237.0 for the internal standard. The detector response was specific and linear for PPPA at concentrations within the range from 1 to 5,000 ng/mL. The intra?/inter‐day precision and accuracy of the method was acceptable by the criteria for assay validation. The matrix effects of PPPA ranged from 97.6 to 104.2% and from 93.3 to 105.3% in post‐preparative mouse and human plasma samples, respectively. PPPA was also stable under various processing and/or handling conditions. Finally, PPPA concentrations in the mouse plasma samples could be measured after intravenous, intraperitoneal, or oral administration of PPPA, suggesting that the assay is useful for pharmacokinetic studies on mice and applicable to human studies.     

Method development for the analysis of resinous materials with MALDI‐FT‐ICR‐MS: novel internal standards and a new matrix material for negative ion mode

Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is a mass spectrometry (MS) ionization technique suitable for a wide variety of sample types including highly complex ones such as natural resinous materials. Coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT‐ICR) mass analyser, which provides mass spectra with high resolution and accuracy, the method gives a wealth of information about the composition of the sample. One of the key aspects in MALDI‐MS is the right choice of matrix compound. We have previously demonstrated that 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid is suitable for the positive ion mode analysis of resinous samples. However, 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid was found to be unsuitable for the analysis of these samples in the negative ion mode. The second problem addressed was the limited choice of calibration standards offering a flexible selection of m/z values under m/z 1000. This study presents a modified MALDI‐FT‐ICR‐MS method for the analysis of resinous materials, which incorporates a novel matrix compound, 2‐aminoacridine for the negative ion mode analysis and extends the selection of internal standards with m/z <1000 for both positive (15 different phosphazenium cations) and negative (anions of four fluorine‐rich sulpho‐compounds) ion mode. The novel internal calibration compounds and matrix material were tested for the analysis of various natural resins and real‐life varnish samples taken from cultural heritage objects. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

食品中胆固醇色谱／质谱／质谱的测定

确立了用色谱／质谱／质谱测定食品中胆固醇的一种新方法，试样经乙酸乙酯提取后，ＧＣ／ＭＳ／ＭＳ测定分析，以胆固醇分子离子为母离了，以其子离子为定量分析的碎片离子。线性好，回收率高，方法可靠。     

Monitoring of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Surface Water Using Liquid Extraction,GC/MS,and GC/ECD

Abstract

A rapid and reliable analytical method, at trace level concentration was developed and validated for monitoring polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Jordanian surface water. The method combines the advantage of liquid extraction together with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography‐electron capture detector (GC/ECD). The performance of the method was evaluated by analyzing certified reference material (CRM) of the analytes and applied on real water samples collected from different sites in Jordan. A mixture of 60∶40 dichloromethan‐petroleum ether was chosen as a convenient binary solvent for liquid–liquid extraction. The GC conditions for GC/MS were optimized using He as a carrier gas, temperature programming, and chlorpropham as an internal standard (IS).

The conditions for GC/ECD were performed using N₂ gas and a temperature program from 160 to 280°C with different increasing rates. The method of GC/MS in the selective ion mode (SIM) gave linear relationships for all PCBs tested between 0.60–6.0 µg/l with R ²=0.9934 (n=7×18). Recoveries from spiked water samples ranged between 87.6 and 91.4%. The mean accuracy and precision obtained were 4.9% and 2.16%, respectively. The mean of detection limit was 0.14±0.04 µg/l. In GC/ECD, linear relationships for all PCBs examined over the range of 0.3–2.4 µg/l was verified as characterized by a linear regression equation and correlation coefficient, R ²=0.9915 (n=12). The average precision and accuracy were 4.86% and 5.21%, respectively. Analyses results clarified that none of the examined Jordanian water samples contained any of the searched for PCBs within the detection limit achieved.     

A UPLC–MS/MS method for analysis of vancomycin in human cerebrospinal fluid and comparison with the chemiluminescence immunoassay

Vancomycin (VCM) is clinically used in treating patients with postoperative intracranial infections. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentration of VCM varies greatly among patients. To guide the dosage regimens, monitoring of VCM in CSF is needed. However a method for analysis of VCM in human CSF is lacking. An ultraperformance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) was developed and validated for analysis of VCM in human CSF, and the agreement of UPLC–MS/MS and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) in the analysis of CSF VCM was evaluated. The ion transitions were m/z 725.5 > 144.1 for VCM and m/z 455.2 > 308.2 for methotrexate (internal standard). The agreement between UPLC–MS/MS and CLIA was evaluated by Bland–Altman plot in 179 samples. The calibration range of the UPLC–MS/MS method was 1–400 mg/L. The inaccuracy and imprecision were −0.69–10.80% and <4.95%. The internal standard normalized recovery and matrix factor were 86.14–99.31 and 85.84–92.07%, respectively. The measurements of CLIA and UPLC–MS/MS were strongly correlated (r > 0.98). The 95% limit of agreement of the ratio of CLIA to UPLC‐MS/MS was 61.66–107.40%. Further studies are warranted to confirm the results.     

Determination of curcumol in rat plasma by capillary gas chromatography with a hydrogen flame ionization detector

A simple and sensitive capillary gas chromatography with a hydrogen flame ionization detector (GC‐FID) method was developed for the determination of curcumol in rat plasma. From a variety of compounds and solvents tested, buagafuran was selected as the internal standard (IS) and acetonitrile was found to be the best protein precipitation agent and solvent for extracting curcumol from plasma and tissues samples. (Buagafuran was used as an internal standard. Curcumol was extracted by a protein precipitation with acetonitrile.) The samples were determined by GC on an HP‐5 column (30.0 m × 0.32 mm, 0.25 μm); inlet volume 2 μL; split ratio 10 : 1; inlet temperature 250°C; oven temperature 180°C; flow 1.0 mL/·min; FID 250°C; carrier gas N₂. The resulting retention times of curcumol and IS were 6.0 and 9.5 min. There was good linearity over the range 0.133–133.3 μg/mL (r = 0.9999) in plasma samples. The method recoveries were 97.7–102.0% in plasma, and the intra‐ and inter‐day variances (RSD) were less than 15% in all cases. The GC method was applied to develop a pharmacokinetics study in which experimental rats received a single administration of curcumol by intravenous injection. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of Carbamazepine and its Main Metabolite Carbamazepine-10,11-Epoxide in Rat Brain Microdialysate and Blood Using ESI–LC–MS (Ion Trap)

A new analytical method has been developed and validated for determination of the anti-epileptic drug carbamazepine (CBZ) and its main metabolite carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (CBZ-E) using ESI–LC–MS (ion trap). The compounds were separated on a C18 (150 × 2.1 mm I.D., 3 μm particles) column and were isocratically eluted in the mobile phase consisting of water–acetonitrile–acetic acid (74.5:25:0.5, v/v) using the flow rate of 0.4 mL min⁻¹. The other anti-epileptic drug oxcarbamazepine (OXC) was used as an internal standard. The retention times for CBZ-E, OXC and CBZ were 5.6, 6.8, 12.8 min. Signals of the compounds were monitored under multi-reaction monitoring mode (MRM) of ESI–LC–MS (ion trap) for the quantification. Selected ions of CBZ-E, OXC and CBZ in MRM were m/z 253→210, m/z 253→180 and m/z 237→194. The method was validated over the concentration range of 5.0–500.0 ng mL⁻¹ and was applied to rat brain microdialysate and blood samples for the determination of CBZ and main metabolite. The brain microdialysate and the blood sample were collected simultaneously after intra-peritoneal injection of CBZ (12 mg kg⁻¹) during a period of 10 h. No interference from endogenous substances and matrix effect were found on the separation of microdialysates and blood samples. The consequent signals of the compounds were resolved and integrated clearly. The LC–MS method was presented as an alternative to investigate pharmacokinetic parameters of CBZ and CBZ-E in blood and brain studies.

     

Stable isotope dilution method for the determination of guanidinoacetic acid by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

For more than 30 years, guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), together with other guanidino compounds, has been proposed as an important marker for renal failure, in kidney transplantation, and for renal metabolism, especially for the metabolic activity of the renal proximal tubules. Since the discovery of the first patient with guanidinoacetic acid methyltransferase deficiency in 1994 by St?ckler et al. (Pediatr. Res. 1994; 36: 409), GAA has become of great interest for all laboratories involved in the diagnosis of metabolic diseases. In the literature there are several methods described for the determination of GAA, ranging from ion-exchange chromatography with post-column derivatisation, enzymatic methods, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), to liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry (LC/APCI-MS). Here a stable isotope dilution method for quantitative and accurate determination of GAA in urine, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid is described. GAA is converted to the bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine di(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) derivative by stepwise derivatisation with hexafluoroacetylacetone and N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA). Analysis can be performed using a standard benchtop GC/MS system. For quantitative GAA determination with 1,2-(13)C-GAA as internal standard, selected ion monitoring is performed using m/z 460/462, with m/z 432/433 and 375/376 as qualifiers.     

Rapid simultaneous determination of codeine and morphine in plasma using LC‐ESI‐MS/MS: Application to a clinical pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and sensitive high‐performance LC‐MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of codeine and its metabolite morphine in human plasma using donepezil as an internal standard (IS). Following a single liquid‐liquid extraction with ethyl acetate, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a C₁₈ column and analyzed by MS/MS in the selected reaction monitoring mode using the respective [M+H]⁺ ions, mass‐to‐charge ratio (m/z) 300/165 for codeine, m/z 286/165 for morphine and m/z 380/91 for IS. The method exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.2–100/0.5–250 ng/mL for codeine/morphine in human plasma, respectively. The lower LOQs were 0.2 and 0.5 ng/mL for codeine and its metabolite morphine using 0.5 mL of human plasma. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. A run time of 2.0 min for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 300 human plasma samples per day. The validated LC‐MS/MS method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in which healthy Chinese volunteers each received a single oral dose of 30 mg codeine phosphate.