High performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry and micropulverized extraction for the quantification of amphetamines, cocaine, opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants and hallucinogens in 2.5 mg hair samples

A high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS) method for simultaneous screening and quantification of 28 drugs was developed and validated for 2.5 mg hair samples. Target drugs and their metabolites included amphetamines, cocaine, opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and hallucinogens. After decontamination, hair samples were extracted with 200 μL of a mixture of water: acetonitrile:1 M trifluoroacetic acid (80:10:10, v/v) using a 5 min simultaneous pulverization/extraction step. The extracts were analysed by HPLC-HRMS in an Orbitrap at a nominal resolution of 60,000, with concomitant in source collisional experiments (in source CID). Gradient elution on an Atlantis T3 column resolved 28 target compounds and 5 internal standards. Total chromatographic run time was 26 min. Calibration was achieved by linear regression analysis utilizing six calibration points; R2 ranged from 0.9964 to 0.9999, the limits of quantification were 0.1 ng/mg for 8 compounds, 0.2 ng/mg for 16 compounds and 0.5 ng/mg for 4 compounds; mean relative errors from -21% to +23% were obtained; relative standard deviation, used to estimate repeatability and intermediate reproducibility at three concentrations, was always less than 20%. Process efficiency and recoveries for all analytes were better than 65 and 73%, respectively, at any concentration. The method was applied to hair samples from forensic investigations that contained a broad assortment of drugs of abuse and pharmaceuticals. The use of concomitant HRMS full scan and CID afforded the possibility of retrospective analysis for discovering untargeted drugs.     

Combined quantification of paclitaxel,docetaxel and ritonavir in human feces and urine using LC‐MS/MS

A combined assay for the determination of paclitaxel, docetaxel and ritonavir in human feces and urine is described. The drugs were extracted from 200 μL urine or 50 mg feces followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis coupled with positive ionization electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The validation program included calibration model, accuracy and precision, carry‐over, dilution test, specificity and selectivity, matrix effect, recovery and stability. Acceptance criteria were according to US Food and Drug Administration guidelines on bioanalytical method validation. The validated range was 0.5–500 ng/mL for paclitaxel and docetaxel, 2–2000 ng/mL for ritonavir in urine, 2–2000 ng/mg for paclitaxel and docetaxel, and 8–8000 ng/mg for ritonavir in feces. Inter‐assay accuracy and precision were tested for all analytes at four concentration levels and were within 8.5% and <10.2%, respectively, in both matrices. Recovery at three concentration levels was between 77 and 94% in feces samples and between 69 and 85% in urine samples. Method development, including feces homogenization and spiking blank urine samples, are discussed. We demonstrated that each of the applied drugs could be quantified successfully in urine and feces using the described assay. The method was successfully applied for quantification of the analytes in feces and urine samples of patients. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assay of urinary alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the biological monitoring of occupational exposure to 5-fluorouracil in oncology nurses and pharmacy technicians

The validation of an analytical method for the measurement of the unnatural amino acid alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine (AFBA), the main metabolite of the antineoplastic drug 5-fluorouracil (5FU), in urine for the biological monitoring of the exposure of hospital workers to the drug when preparing the therapeutical doses and administering to cancer patients is described. The method employed a two-step extractive derivatization of the analyte from urine to the N-trifluoroacety-n-butyl ester derivative and detection by selected-ion monitoring gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of structurally specific fragments. The limit of detection was 20 ng/mL with quantification accuracy better than +/-20% and precision (CV%) better than +/-20% in the range 0.020-10 microg/mL. Norleucine was used as the internal standard and the sample-to-sample analysis time was less than 15 min. The validated method has been applied to the biological monitoring of some hospital workers potentially exposed to 5FU and to matched control subjects. On a total number of 65 analyzed urine samples from control and exposed subjects, only three, obtained from exposed subjects, were found to be positive, with values of 20, 30 and 1150 ng/mL, respectively.     

Determination of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole and 2,4,6-tribromoanisole on ng L-1 to pgL-1 levels in wine by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) method using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for the determination of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) and 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA) in wine at low ng L(-1) levels was developed. A robust SPME method was developed by optimizing several different parameters, including type of fiber, salt addition, sample volume, extraction and desorption time. The quantification limit for TCA and TBA in wine was lowered substantially using GC-HRMS in combination with the optimized SPME method and allowed the detection of low analyte concentrations (ng L(-1)) with good accuracy. Limits of quantification for red wine of 0.3 ng L(-1) for TCA and 0.2 ng L(-1) for TBA with gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry and 0.03 ng L(-1) for TCA and TBA were achieved using GC-HRMS. The method was applied to 30 wines of which 4 wines were sensorically qualified as cork defected. TCA was found in three of these wines with concentrations in the range 2-25 ng L(-1). TBA was not detected in any of the samples.     

Enantiospecific separation and quantitation of mephenytoin and its metabolites nirvanol and 4'-hydroxymephenytoin in human plasma and urine by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive method using enantiospecific liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry detection for the quantitation of S- and R-mephenytoin as well as its metabolites S- and R-nirvanol and S- and R-4'-hydroxymephenytoin in plasma and urine has been developed and validated. Plasma samples were prepared by protein precipitation with acetonitrile, while urine samples were diluted twice with the mobile phase before injection. The analytes were then separated on a chiral alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP) column and thereafter detected, using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. In plasma, the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 1 ng/mL for S- and R-4'-hydroxymephenytoin and S-nirvanol and 3 ng/mL for R-nirvanol and S- and R-mephenytoin. In urine, the LLOQ was 3 ng/mL for all compounds. Resulting plasma and urine intra-day precision values (CV) were <12.4% and <6.4%, respectively, while plasma and urine accuracy values were 87.2-108.3% and 98.9-104.8% of the nominal values, respectively. The method was validated for plasma in the concentration ranges 1-500 ng/mL for S- and R-4'-hydroxymephenytoin, 1-1000 ng/mL for S-nirvanol, and 3-1500 ng/mL for R-nirvanol and S- and R-mephenytoin. The validated concentration range in urine was 3-5000 ng/mL for all compounds. By using this method, the metabolic activities of two human drug-metabolizing enzymes, cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 and CYP2B6, were simultaneously characterized.     

Simultaneous quantification of morphine and cocaine in hair samples from drug addicts by GC-EI/MS

The development of analytical techniques that enable the use of hair as an alternative matrix for the analysis of drugs of abuse is useful for confirming the exposure in a larger time window (weeks to months, depending on the length of the hair shaft). In the present study a methodology aimed at the simultaneous quantification of cocaine and morphine in human hair was developed and validated. After decontamination, hair samples (20?mg) were incubated with a mixture of methanol/hydrochloric acid (2:1) at 65?°C overnight (~16?h) in order to extract the drugs of the matrix. Purification was performed by solid-phase extraction using mixed-mode extraction cartridges. After derivatization with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide, blank, standards and samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/electron impact-mass spectrometry (GC-EI/MS). The method proved to be selective, as there were no interferences of endogenous compounds with the same retention time as cocaine, morphine and ethylmorphine (internal standard). The regression analysis for both analytes showed linearity in the range 0.25-10.00?ng/mg with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9989 to 0.9991. The coefficients of variation oscillated between 0.83 and 14.60%. The limits of detection were 0.01 and 0.02?ng/mg, and the limits of quantification were 0.03 and 0.06?ng/mg for cocaine and morphine, respectively. The proposed GC-EI/MS method provided an accurate and simple assay with adequate precision and recovery for the quantification of cocaine and morphine in hair samples. The proof of applicability was performed in hair samples obtained from drug addicts enrolled in a Regional Detoxification Treatment Center. The importance of hair samples is highlighted, since positives results were obtained when urine immunoassay analyses were negative. Copyright ? 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous determination of six toxic alkaloids in human plasma and urine using capillary zone electrophoresis coupled to time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

A novel capillary zone electrophoresis separation coupled to electro spray ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of six toxic alkaloids: brucine, strychnine, atropine sulfate, anisodamine hydrobromide, scopolamine hydrobromide and anisodine hydrobromide in human plasma and urine. To obtain optimal sensitivity, a solid‐phase extraction method using Oasis MCX cartridges (1 mL, 30 mg; Waters, USA) for the pretreatment of samples was used. All compounds were separated by capillary zone electrophoresis at 25 kV within 12 min in an uncoated fused‐silica capillary of 75 μm id × 100 cm and were detected by time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. This method was validated with regard to precision, accuracy, sensitivity, linear range, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). In the plasma and urine samples, the linear calibration curves were obtained over the range of 0.50–100 ng/mL. The LOD and LOQ were 0.2–0.5 ng/mL and 0.5–1.0 ng/mL, respectively. The intra‐ and interday precision was better than 12% and 13%, respectively. Electrophoretic peaks could be identified by mass analysis.     

Development and validation of a sensitive liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous analysis of granisetron and 7‐hydroxy granisetron in human plasma and urine samples: application in a clinical pharmacokinetic study in pregnant subject

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric method for the quantification of granisetron and its major metabolite, 7‐hydroxy granisetron in human plasma and urine samples was developed and validated. Respective stable isotopically labeled granisetron and 7‐hydroxy granisetron were used as internal standards (IS). Chromatography was performed using an Xselect HSS T3 analytical column with a mobile phase of 20% acetonitrile in water (containing 0.2 mM ammonium formate and 0.14% formic acid, pH 4) delivered in an isocratic mode. Tandem mass spectrometry operating in positive electrospray ionization mode with multiple reaction monitoring was used for quantification. The standard curves were linear in the concentration ranges of 0.5–100 ng/mL for granisetron and 0.1–100 ng/mL for 7‐hydroxy granisetron in human plasma samples, and 2–2000 ng/mL for granisetron and 2–1000 ng/mL for 7‐hydroxy granisetron in human urine samples, respectively. The accuracies were >85% and the precision as determined by the coefficient of variations was <10%. No significant matrix effects were observed for granisetron or 7‐hydroxy granisetron in either plasma or urine samples. Granisetron was stable under various storage and experimental conditions. This validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study after intravenous administration of 1 mg granisetron to a pregnant subject. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Detection of monohydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine and particulate matter using LC separations coupled with integrated SPE and fluorescence detection or coupled with high‐resolution time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

A high‐performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with integrated solid‐phase extraction for the determination of 1‐hydroxypyrene and 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, 4‐ and 9‐hydroxyphenanthrene in urine was developed and validated. After enzymatic treatment and centrifugation of 500 μL urine, 100 μL of the sample was directly injected into the HPLC system. Integrated solid‐phase extraction was performed on a selective, copper phthalocyanine modified packing material. Subsequent chromatographic separation was achieved on a pentafluorophenyl core–shell column using a methanol gradient. For quantification, time‐programmed fluorescence detection was used. Matrix‐dependent recoveries were between 94.8 and 102.4%, repeatability and reproducibility ranged from 2.2 to 17.9% and detection limits lay between 2.6 and 13.6 ng/L urine. A set of 16 samples from normally exposed adults was analyzed using this HPLC‐fluorescence detection method. Results were comparable with those reported in other studies. The chromatographic separation of the method was transferred to an ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography pentafluorophenyl core–shell column and coupled to a high‐resolution time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer (HR‐TOF‐MS). The resulting method was used to demonstrate the applicability of LC‐HR‐TOF‐MS for simultaneous target and suspect screening of monohydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in extracts of urine and particulate matter.     

Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in human hair by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A rapid analytical method has been developed for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in human hair. PBDEs were determined by gas chromatography with electron ionization mass spectrometric detection in the selected ion monitoring mode (GC-MS-SIM). A 200 mg amount of hair samples was overnight digested in 3N HCl and then PBDEs extracted with n-hexane. After clean up of extracts in a Florisil column, PBDEs were analyzed by GC-MS. The method has been validated by spiking human hair at five concentration levels, in the range from 5 to 25 ng/g for most compounds, and PBDEs were quantified using labelled compounds as internal standards. Recoveries of PBDEs were higher than 90%, repeatability was equal or lower than 12.5%, and reproducibility lower than 14%, expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD). Limits of detection (LOD) were in the range 0.08-0.9 ng/g and limits of quantification (LOQ) were between 0.27 and 3.0 ng/g. This method was applied to the determination of PBDEs in hair samples from 16 individuals and 5 PBDE congeners were detected in most of the samples. BDE-209 was the dominant compound found, followed by BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, and BDE-190. BDE-209 was found in 12 out of 16 hair samples, and the total levels of PBDEs ranged from 1.4 to 19.9 ng/g.     

Performance evaluation of a rapid-scanning quadrupole mass spectrometer in the comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography analysis of pesticides in water

The performance of a novel rapid-scanning (20,000 amu/s) quadrupole mass spectrometer (qMS) has been evaluated in the comprehensive 2-D gas chromatography (GC×GC) analysis of pesticides contained in water. Analyte extraction was performed by using direct solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The MS system was operated using a rather wide m/z 50-450 mass range and a 33 Hz spectral production rate, a frequency which was found sufficient for reliable quantification. The qMS performance was evaluated considering: (i) number of data points per peak, (ii) mass spectral quality, (iii) extent of peak skewing, and (iv) consistency of retention times. Seven-point calibration curves (external calibration) were constructed for 28 pesticides over the limit of quantification range of 100 μg/L (1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 μg/L). The solid-phase microextraction-GC×GC-qMS method was validated by calculating limits of detection and quantification, intraday peak area precision, accuracy, and intraday retention-time precision. A series of tap water samples were subjected to analysis, fortunately giving negative results.     

Simultaneous determination of amphetamines and ketamines in urine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A method for the simultaneous determination of amphetamines and ketamines (ketamine, norketamine and dehydronorketamine) in urine samples by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was developed and validated. Urine samples were extracted with organic solvent and derivatized with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA). The limits of detection and limits of quantification for each analyte were lower than 19 and 30 ng/mL, respectively. Within-day and between-day precisions were within 0.5% and 10.6%, respectively. Biases for three levels of control samples were within -10.6% and +7.8%. The concentration of dehydronorketamine was greater than those of ketamine or norketamine in 19 of 35 ketamine-positive samples. A group of 110 human urine samples previously determined to contain at least one of the target analytes was analyzed using the new method, and excellent agreement was observed with previous results.     

Simultaneous quantification of tramadol and O‐desmethyltramadol in hair samples by gas chromatography–electron impact/mass spectrometry

Over recent years, hair has become the ideal matrix for retrospective investigation of chronic abuse, including for tramadol. However, in order to exclude the possibility of external contamination, it is also important to quantify simultaneously its main metabolite, O‐desmethyltramadol (M1), which presence in hair reflects systemic exposure. In the present study a methodology aimed at the simultaneous quantification of tramadol and M1 in human hair was developed and validated for the first time. After decontamination of hair samples (60 mg), tramadol and M1 were extracted with methanol in an ultrasonic bath (~5 h). Purification was performed by solid‐phase extraction using mixed‐mode extraction cartridges. Subsequently to derivatization, analysis was performed by gas chromatography–electron impact/mass spectrometry (GC‐EI/MS). The method proved to be selective. The regression analysis for both analytes was shown to be linear in the range of 0.1–20.0 ng/mg with correlation coefficients of 0.9995 and 0.9997 for tramadol and M1, respectively. The coefficients of variation oscillated between 3.85 and 13.24%. The limits of detection were 0.03 and 0.02 ng/mg, and the lower limits of quantification were 0.08 and 0.06 ng/mg for tramadol and M1, respectively. The proof of applicability was performed in hair samples from six patients undergoing tramadol therapy. All samples were positive for tramadol and M1. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of analyses of urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine by isotope-dilution liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

A highly sensitive and selective method, using isotope-dilution liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), for quantification of urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), an important biomarker of oxidative stress, was developed and compared with a method using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The synthesis of (15)N(5)-8-OHdG is described. In this study, 140 urine samples were collected from workers in a coke oven plant, including samples from 49 control workers and 91 workers who had been occupationally exposed to polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The major urinary metabolite of PAHs, 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), was measured for the exposed workers. Results from the present study showed a significant correlation between these two measurements for determination of 8-OHdG (p < 0.05, r(2) = 0.70). However, only the LC/MS/MS measurements of urinary levels of 8-OHdG showed a significant difference between the exposed and the control subjects (p < 0.05). The ELISA method failed to demonstrate this difference. Furthermore, only by using the LC/MS/MS method was a significant correlation observed between the urinary levels of 1-OHP and 8-OHdG. These findings suggest that a highly specific and sensitive analytical method such as isotope-dilution LC/MS/MS is extremely important and necessary for accurate measurement and a comprehensive study of oxidative stress in human subjects.     

Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of rimonabant, a CB1 receptor antagonist, in human plasma

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantification of rimonabant in human plasma. Following liquid-liquid extraction, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reverse-phase column and analyzed by MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective (M+H)+ ions, m/z 463-363 for rimonabant and m/z 408-235 for the internal standard. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.1-100 ng/mL for rimonabant in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 0.1 ng/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 6%. With dilution integrity up to 10-fold, the upper limit of quantification was extendable up to 1000 ng/mL. 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 250 human plasma samples per day. The validated method was successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic studies.     

Determination of N-acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)cysteine (AMCC) in urine by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry

A simple, sensitive and specific method for the quantification of N-acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)cysteine (AMCC) in urines of the general population and of exposed workers has been developed. Samples were first diluted with phosphate buffer followed by purification by solid-phase extraction (SPE) with SAX columns prior to analysis by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). An external standard was used for the quantification together with selected ion monitoring of m/z 219, [M-H]-. The linear calibration curve showed a good correlation (r2 = 0.98, p < 0.001) between 0.1-110 mg/L of AMCC, and the detection limit was calculated to be 2 microg/L. The within-day and between-day precision, calculated for exposed workers and general population AMCC levels in urine samples, were determined as 1.2 and 3.6%, respectively (as relative standard deviation (RSD)).     

Development of LC‐MS/MS method for the determination of dapiprazole on dried blood spots and urine: application to pharmacokinetics

A rapid and highly sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric (LC‐MS/MS) method for determination of dapiprazole on rat dried blood spots and urine was developed and validated. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a reverse‐phase C₁₈ column (250 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm), using 20 mm ammonium acetate (pH adjusted to 4.0 with acetic acid) and acetonitrile (80:20, v/v) as a mobile phase at 25 °C. LC‐MS detection was performed with selective ion monitoring using target ions at m/z 326 and m/z 306 for dapiprazole and mepiprazole used as internal standard, respectively. The calibration curve showed a good linearity in the concentration range of 1–3000 ng/mL. The effect of hematocrit on extraction of dapiprazole from DBS was evaluated. The mean recoveries of dapiprazole from DBS and urine were 93.88 and 90.29% respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were <4.19% in DBS as well as urine. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.30 and 1.10 ng/mL in DBS and 0.45 and 1.50 ng/mL in urine samples, respectively. The method was validated as per US Food and Drug Administration guidelines and successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of dapiprazole in rats. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative determination of piritramide in human plasma and urine by off- and on-line solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) quantification of piritramide, a synthetic opioid, in plasma after conventional off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) and in urine by on-line SPE-LC/MS/MS in positive electrospray mode was developed and validated. Applicability of the on-line approach for plasma samples was also tested. Deuterated piritramide served as internal standard. For the off-line SPE plasma method mixed cation-exchange SPE cartridges and a 150 x 2 mm C18 column with isocratic elution were used. For the on-line SPE method, a Waters Oasis HLB extraction column and the same C18 analytical column in a column-switching set-up with gradient elution were utilized. All assays were linear within a range of 0.5-100 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 0.05 ng/mL. The intra- and interday coefficients of variance ranged from 1.3 to 6.1% for plasma and 0.5 to 6.4% for urine, respectively. The extraction recovery for the off-line plasma assay was between 90.7 and 100.0%. Influence of matrix effects, and freeze/thaw and long-term stability were validated for both approaches; influence of urine pH additionally for quantification in urine.     

Validated method for occupational cyclophosphamide monitoring using LC-MS/MS and a Poroshell 120 column

Pharmacy staff and health care workers in hospitals may be exposed to antineoplastic drugs during cancer chemotherapy. Sensitive methods should be used to monitor the occupational exposure in biofluids such as urine. In this study, a sensitive method for cyclophosphamide determination in urine with high recovery was developed and validated for monitoring occupational exposure. Triple liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate/dichloromethane (φ_r= 3:1; 6.0 mL) was applied. Good separation of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide was achieved in a 9.0 min analysis, using liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.07 ng mL^?1 and 0.11 ng mL^?1, respectively. Repeatability (RSD, %) was ≤ 12.74%. Inter-day and inter-analyst precision values (RSD, %) were ≤ 13.94% and 12.59%. Mean recovery for three different concentrations was (101.62 ± 6.05) %. The validation results were fitted for the purpose of routine monitoring of occupational cyclophosphamide exposure in hospital staff.     

High-throughput quantification of perindopril in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to a bioequivalence study

A simple, sensitive and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography/positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantification of perindopril in human plasma. Following liquid-liquid extraction, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reversed-phase column and analyzed by mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective [M+H](+) ions, m/z 369/172 for perindopril and m/z 417/234 for the internal standard. The method exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.1-100 ng/mL for perindopril in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 0.1 ng/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 6.1%. 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 450 human plasma samples per day. The validated method has been successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic, bioavailability and bioequivalence studies.