Hollow-fibre supported liquid membrane extraction for determination of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine concentration at ultra trace level in sewage samples

In this study, a method was developed for determining the concentration of the pharmaceutical fluoxetine and its metabolite, norfluoxetine, in sewage water samples. Sample preparation was performed by hollow-fibre supported liquid membrane (HF-SLM) extraction with final analysis using liquid chromatography with UV detection. Several parameters were studied including type of organic solvent, sample and acceptor pH, and salt and humic acid content. The optimised method allowed determination of the analyte at the ng/L level in sewage water. A linear plot gave a correlation coefficient better than 0.991 for both analytes and resulted in limits of detection in sewage water of 11 and 12 ng/L, for fluoxetine and norfluoxetine, respectively. The enrichment factor was over 1700 for both analytes in sewage water. The repeatability and reproducibility were better than 8% and 17%, respectively. The developed methodology was used to study daily variations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in municipal sewage streams. Norfluoxetine has been detected for the first time in sewage water and a preliminary analysis gave average concentrations of 150 and 225 ng/L for norfluoxetine and fluoxetine, respectively.     

Determination of fluoxetine and its N-desmethyl metabolite in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

A rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of the antidepressant fluoxetine and its active metabolite norfluoxetine in human plasma using paroxetine as internal standard. After liquid-liquid extraction, the compounds were separated on a C18 column using as mobile phase acetonitrile and 40 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 2.3) in the ratio 31:69 (v/v). The quantification of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine was made by fluorescence detection at Ex/Em 230/312 nm. The assay for each analyte was linear over the ranges 1-39 and 0.9-36 ng/ml, respectively. For both compounds intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision ranged between −7.9-12.4 and 0.7-14.7%, respectively. The method was applied to the analysis of plasma samples obtained from healthy subjects treated with one single oral dose of 40 mg fluoxetine.     

Comparison of two extraction methods for the determination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in sewage sludge by hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction

This paper presents two procedures for the determination of four selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (citalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline) and one metabolite (norfluoxetine) in sewage sludge utilizing three-phase hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME). First, direct HF-LPME was used for extraction, clean-up, and preconcentration. The pharmaceuticals were extracted from slurry samples into an organic phase and then back-extracted into an aqueous phase in the lumen of the hollow fiber. Second, a procedure combining pressurized hot water extraction and HF-LPME for clean-up and preconcentration was developed for the same analytes and matrix. The extracts were subsequently analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. For direct HF-LPME, limits of detection were between 1 and 12 ng g(-1) (dry weight) and the relative standard deviation (RSD) values were 3-12%. For the second method, limits of detection were approximately 6 ng g(-1) for all the compounds and RSD values were 8-12%. The methods were validated by comparison of results for the same samples. Sewage sludge from a Swedish wastewater treatment plant was analyzed by both methods; average concentrations were similar for citalopram, paroxetine, and fluoxetine with values of approximately 530, 40, and 200 ng g(-1) , respectively.     

Solid-phase extraction of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine from serum with gas chromatography-electron-capture detection

A rapid, selective, and sensitive method is described for the purification and analysis of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine using a solid-phase extraction column and gas chromatography-electron-capture detection. Linear quantitative response curves for fluoxetine and norfluoxetine are generated over a concentration range of 20-200 ng/ml. Overall extraction efficiency of the extraction procedure is found to be greater than 90% and greater than 75% with correlation coefficients of 0.997 and 0.993 for fluoxetine and norfluoxetine, respectively.     

Simultaneous determination of fluoxetine and its major active metabolite norfluoxetine in human plasma by LC‐MS/MS using supported liquid extraction

A rapid, sensitive and selective bioanalytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of fluoxetine and its primary metabolite norfluoxetine in human plasma. Sample preparation was based on supported liquid extraction (SLE) using methyl tert‐butyl ether to extract the analytes from human plasma. Chromatography was performed on a Synergi 4 μ polar‐RP column using a fast gradient. The ionization was optimized using ESI (+) and selectivity was achieved by tandem mass spectrometric analysis using MRM functions, m/z 310 → 44 for fluoxetine, m/z 296 → 134 for norfluoxetine and m/z 315 → 44 for fluoxetine‐d₅ (internal standard). The method is linear over the range of 0.05–20 ng/mL (using a human plasma sample volume of 0.1 mL) with a coefficient determination of greater than 0.999. The method is accurate and precise with intra‐batch and inter‐batch accuracy (%bias) of <±15% and precision (%CV) of <15% for both analytes. A run time of 4 min means a high throughput of samples can be achieved. To our knowledge, this method appears to be the most sensitive one reported so far for the quantitation of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine and can be used for routine therapeutic drug monitoring or pharmacokinetic studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous analysis of select pharmaceuticals and personal care products in fish tissue using pressurized liquid extraction combined with silica gel cleanup

Analytical improvements were developed and validated for measuring select personal care products (PCPs) and two pharmaceuticals in fish tissue. The method was validated using fortified fillet tissue for twelve PCPs including fragrance materials, alkylphenols, photo initiators, and triclosan as well as two pharmaceuticals including carbamazepine (anti-seizure) and diazepam (anti-convulsant). The analytical method utilized pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) combined with silica gel cleanup, gel permeation chromatography, and gas chromatography ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry. Silica gel cleanup was combined with the PLE to produce one automated extraction/cleanup technique. This analytical improvement served to reduce the incurred cost, time, and loss of potential target analytes associated with independent cleanup steps. The combined extraction/cleanup technique resulted in an average increase of 10% in analyte recoveries. Average triplicate recoveries and relative standard deviations for the entire method, using 2.5 g of fish fillet tissue, were 92 ± 9% (recoveries ranged from 64 to 131%). The sensitivity of the analytical methods was improved by optimizing the resonant collision induced dissociation energy to the hundredths place (0.01 V). Improvements in ion production range from 24 to 122% for six of the 12 PCPs. Statistically derived method detection limits (MDLs) were also lowered on average by a factor of 8 and ranged from 1.2 to 38 ng/g wet weight. MDLs for carbamazepine and diazepam were 18 and 3.7 ng/g wet weight, respectively. Galaxolide and tonalide were measured in an environmental sample at concentrations of 81 and 5.5 ng/g wet weight, respectively.     

Determination of organophosphate flame retardants in soil and fish using ultrasound‐assisted extraction,solid‐phase clean‐up,and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A solid–liquid extraction method in combination with high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was developed and optimized for extraction and analysis of organophosphorus flame retardants in soil and fish. Methanol was chosen as the optimum extraction solvent, not only in terms of extraction efficiency, but also for its broader analyte coverage. The subsequent clean‐up by solid‐phase extraction is required to eliminate matrix coextractives and reduce matrix effects. Recoveries of the optimized method were 50–121% for soil and 47–123% for biota, both with high precision (RSDs <12% in soil and <23% in biota). The method limits of detection ranged from 0.06 to 0.20 ng/g dry weight and between 0.02 and 0.30 ng/g wet weight for soil and biota samples, respectively. However, samples with a high lipid content produce several problems as solid‐phase extraction cartridge clogging that increase variability and analysis time. The method was successfully applied for the determination of organophosphorus flame retardants in soil and fish from L'Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain). Target compounds were detected in all soil and fish samples with values varying from 13.8 to 89.7 ng/g dry weight and from 3.3 to 53.0 ng/g wet weight, respectively.     

Solid‐phase extraction and analysis of paroxetine in human plasma by ultra performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive and rugged solid‐phase extraction ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) method was developed for determination of paroxetine in human plasma. The procedure for sample preparation includes simple SPE extraction procedure coupled with Hypersil Gold C₁₈ column (100 mm ? 2.1 mm, i.d., 1.9 μm) with isocratic elution at a flow‐rate of 0.350 mL/min and fluoxetine was used as the internal standard. The analysis was performed on a triple‐quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reactions monitoring mode via electrospray ionization. Using 500 μL plasma, the methods were validated over the concentration range 0.050–16.710 ng/mL for paroxetine, with a lower limit of quantification of 0.050 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy of the quality control samples were within 10.0%. The recovery was 69.2 and 74.4% for paroxetine and fluoxetine respectively. Total run time was only 1.9 min. The method was highly reproducible and gave peaks with excellent chromatography properties. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sensitive liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of fluoxetine and its primary active metabolite norfluoxetine in human plasma

A sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of fluoxetine and its major active metabolite norfluoxetine in plasma was developed, using high-performance liquid chromatographic separation with tandem mass spectrometric detection. The samples were extracted from alkalised plasma with hexane-isoamyl alcohol (98:2, v/v) followed by back-extraction into formic acid (2%). Chromatography was performed on a Phenomenex Luna C18 (2) 5 microm, 150x2 mm column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.02% formic acid (340:660, v/v) at a flow-rate of 0.35 ml/min. Detection was achieved by a Perkin-Elmer Sciex API 2000 mass spectrometer (LC-MS-MS) set at unit resolution in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. TurbolonSpray ionisation was used for ion production. The mean recoveries for fluoxetine and norfluoxetine were 98 and 97%, respectively, with a lower limit of quantification set at 0.15 ng/ml for the analyte and its metabolite. This assay method makes use of the increased sensitivity and selectivity of mass spectrometric (MS-MS) detection to allow for a more rapid (extraction and chromatography) and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in human plasma than has previously been described.     

Selective pressurized liquid extraction of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish

A fast and simple method for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in fish samples was developed using a one-step extraction and clean-up by means of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) combined with gas chromatography-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-ITMS-MS). The selective PLE method provided to obtain ready-to-analyse extracts without any additional clean-up step, using a sorbent as fat retainer inside the PLE cell. Several PLE operating conditions, such as solvent type, extraction temperature and time, number of cycles and type of fat retainer, were studied. Using Florisil as fat retainer, maximum recoveries of PBDEs (83-108%) with minimum presence of matrix-interfering compounds were obtained using a mixture of n-hexane:dichloromethane 90:10 (v/v) as solvent, an extraction temperature of 100 °C and a static extraction time of 5 min in combination with three static cycles. Quality parameters of the method were established using standards and fish samples. Limits of detection and quantification ranged from 10 to 34 pg g⁻¹ wet weight and between 34 and 68 pg g⁻¹ wet weight, respectively. In addition, good linearity (between 1 and 500 ng ml⁻¹) and high precision (RSD % < 15%) were achieved. The method was validated using the standard reference material SRM-1945 (whale blubber) and was then applied to the analysis of PBDEs in fish samples.     

Suitability of selective pressurized liquid extraction combined with gas chromatography-ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers

A one-step extraction and clean-up method using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) (selective PLE) combined with gas chromatography-ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-ITMS-MS) was evaluated for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (from tri- to hepta-PBDEs) at low concentrations in fish and shellfish samples. To this end, the performance of an on-line PLE extraction/clean-up method and of a classical Soxhlet extraction and clean-up method using a multi-layer modified silica column were compared. The two sample treatment methods provided similar results, although an important reduction in the sample treatment time (40 min per sample) was achieved using the selective PLE method. In addition, the suitability of the PLE combined with GC-ITMS-MS method was evaluated by comparing the results obtained in the analysis of fish samples with those obtained by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS). Good agreement between both techniques was obtained with differences between the mean values of less than 16%. The selective PLE method coupled to GC-ITMS-MS produced accurate results for PBDE determination with low limits of detection (1.0-16.8 pg g⁻¹ wet weight) and quantification (3.1-51 pg g⁻¹ wet weight) as well as good precision (RSD < 16%). This method has been applied to the analysis of PBDEs in fish and shellfish samples collected at fish markets in Catalonia (NE Spain).     

Multi-residue determination of the sorption of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals to wastewater suspended particulate matter using pressurised liquid extraction, solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Presented is the first comprehensive study of drugs of abuse on suspended particulate matter (SPM) in wastewater. Analysis of SPM is crucial to prevent the under-reporting of the levels of analyte that may be present in wastewater. Analytical methods to date analyse the aqueous part of wastewater samples only, removing SPM through the use of filtration or centrifugation. The development of an analytical method to determine 60 compounds on SPM using a combination of pressurised liquid extraction, solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (PLE-SPE-LC-MS/MS) is reported. The range of compounds monitored included stimulants, opioid and morphine derivatives, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, dissociative anaesthetics, drug precursors, and their metabolites. The method was successfully validated (parameters studied: linearity and range, recovery, accuracy, reproducibility, repeatability, matrix effects, and limits of detection and quantification). The developed methodology was applied to SPM samples collected at three wastewater treatment plants in the UK. The average proportion of analyte on SPM as opposed to in the aqueous phase was <5% for several compounds including cocaine, benzoylecgonine, MDMA, and ketamine; whereas the proportion was >10% with regard to methadone, EDDP, EMDP, BZP, fentanyl, nortramadol, norpropoxyphene, sildenafil and all antidepressants (dosulepin, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, fluoxetine and norfluoxetine). Consequently, the lack of SPM analysis in wastewater sampling protocol could lead to the under-reporting of the measured concentration of some compounds.     

Sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for assay of fluoxetine and its metabolite norfluoxetine in human plasma and application of method to pharmacokinetic analysis

A simple, specific and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography — electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method is developed for the simultaneous determination of fluoxetine and its metabolite norfluoxetine in human plasma. Plasma samples were simply treated with acetonitrile to precipitate and remove proteins and the isolated supernatants were directly injected into the high-performance liquid chromatography — electrospray tandem mass spectrometry system. Chromatographic separation of the analytes was achieved on a Discovery C₁₈ (100 × 2.1 mm I.D., particle size 3.0 μm) column using 0.1% formic acid in water — acetonitrile (40: 60) as mobile phase with a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Diazepam was used as the internal standard. The compounds were ionized in the electrospray ionization source of the mass spectrometer and were detected by selected reaction ion monitoring of the transitions of m/z 310 → m/z 44.3 for fluoxetine, m/z 296 → m/z 134 for norfluoxetine and m/z 285 → m/z 193 for the internal standard. The method has low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.02 ng/mL and 0.03 ng/mL for fluoxetine and norfluoxetine, respectively. The inter- and intra-run precision was measured to be below 5.3% (relative standard deviation) for both fluoxetine and norfluoxetine. The developed method was successfully used to investigate plasma concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in the pharmacokinetic study of Chinese volunteers who received fluoxetine orally.     

Improved HPLC determination of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in human plasma

Summary An HPLC method with fluorescence detection has been developed for the determination of fluoxetine and its main metabolite norfluoxetine in human plasma. Pretreatment of the biological samples by liquid-liquid extraction was used to improve the sensitivity of a previously published SPE procedure. The method uses 200 μL plasma and recovery is good for both analytes. On a C₈ column with a mixture of perchlorate buffer and acetonitrile as mobile phase fluoxetine, norfluoxetine and the internal standard (paroxetine) were eluted in less than 9 min, without interference from the biological matrix. Response for both analytes was linearly dependent on concentration over the range 2.5–500 ng mL⁻¹, and repeatability (RSD%) was <4%. The limit of detection was 1 ng mL⁻¹ for both fluoxetines. Application to plasma samples from depressed patients treated with fluoxetine gave good results. There was no interference from other common CNS drugs. This method seems to be a useful tool for clinical monitoring, because it requires small plasma samples and is highly sensitive and highly selective.     

Trace analysis of fluoxetine and its metabolite norfluoxetine. Part I: development of a chiral liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for wastewater samples

An enantioselective method for the determination of fluoxetine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and its pharmacologically active metabolite norfluoxetine has been developed for raw and treated wastewater samples. The stable isotope-labeled fluoxetine and norfluoxetine were used in an extended way for extraction recovery calculations at trace level concentrations in wastewater. Wastewater samples were enriched by solid phase extraction (SPE) with Evolute CX-50 extraction cartridges. The obtained extraction recoveries ranged between 65 and 82% in raw and treated wastewater at a trace level concentration of 50 pM (15-16 ng L⁻¹). The target compounds were identified by the use of chiral liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The enantiomers were successfully resolved on a chiral α₁-acid glycoprotein column (chiral AGP) with acetonitrile and 10 mM ammonium acetate buffer at pH 4.4 (3/97, v/v) as the mobile phase. The effects of pH, amount of organic modifier and buffer concentration in the mobile phase were investigated on the enantiomeric resolution (R_s) of the target compounds. Enantiomeric R_s-values above 2.0 (1.03 RSD%, n = 3) were achieved for the enantiomers of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in all mobile phases investigated. The method was validated by assessing parameters such as cross-contamination and carryover during SPE and during LC analysis. Cross-talk effects were examined during the detection of the analytes in SRM mode. In addition, the isotopic purity of fluoxetine-d₅ and norfluoxetine-d₅ were assessed to exclude the possibility of self-contamination. The interassay precision of the chromatographic separation was excellent, with relative standard deviations (RSD) equal to or lower than 0.56 and 0.81% in raw and treated wastewaters, respectively. The method detection and quantification limits (respectively, MDL and MQL) were determined by the use of fluoxetine-d₅ and norfluoxetine-d₅. The MQL for the single enantiomers ranged from 12 to 14 pM (3.6-4.3 ng L⁻¹) in raw wastewater and from 3 to 4 pM (0.9-1 ng L⁻¹) in treated wastewater. The developed method has been employed for the quantification of (R)-fluoxetine, (S)-fluoxetine and the enantiomers of norfluoxetine in raw and treated wastewater samples to be presented in Part II of this study.     

Polydimethylsiloxane/polypyrrole stir bar sorptive extraction and liquid chromatography (SBSE/LC-UV) analysis of antidepressants in plasma samples

A new polymeric coating consisting of a dual-phase, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polypyrrole (PPY) was developed for the stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) of antidepressants (mirtazapine, citalopram, paroxetine, duloxetine, fluoxetine and sertraline) from plasma samples, followed by liquid chromatography analysis (SBSE/LC-UV). The extractions were based on both adsorption (PPY) and sorption (PDMS) mechanisms. SBSE variables, such as extraction time, temperature, pH of the matrix, and desorption time were optimized, in order to achieve suitable analytical sensitivity in a short time period. The PDMS/PPY coated stir bar showed high extraction efficiency (sensitivity and selectivity) toward the target analytes. The quantification limits (LOQ) of the SBSE/LC-UV method ranged from 20 ng mL⁻¹ to 50 ng mL⁻¹, and the linear range was from LOQ to 500 ng mL⁻¹, with a determination coefficient higher than 0.99. The inter-day precision of the SBSE/LC-UV method presented a variation coefficient lower than 15%. The efficiency of the SBSE/LC-UV method was proved by analysis of plasma samples from elderly depressed patients.     

Rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of a broad mixture of pharmaceuticals in surface water

Herein, a new method for the detection of 13 different pharmaceuticals and one metabolite in surface water at low ng/L levels is described. The method utilizes ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and a solid-phase extraction sample preparation. Mean method detection limits were low (4.10 ng/L) and overall solid-phase extraction recovery and reproducibility was adequate (mean recovery, 77.9%; mean RSD, 7.3%). The method allows for quick run times and minimal solvent use as compared with other previously reported high performance liquid chromatography-based methods. Application of this method for the detection of pharmaceuticals in Tennessee River surface water determined that caffeine, sulfamethoxazole, and carbamazepine were frequently detected (100% of samples). Trimethoprim was moderately detected (30% of samples); acetaminophen, atorvastatin, and lovastatin were infrequently detected (10% of samples); and ciprofloxacin, diltiazem, fluoxetine, levofloxacin, norfluoxetine, ranitidine, and sertraline were not detected. This study reports the first detection of lovastatin in surface water.     

Enantiomeric separation of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in plasma and serum samples with high detection sensitivity capillary electrophoresis

A capillary electrophoresis method was optimized for the stereoselective analysis of the antidepressant drug fluoxetine and its main demethylated metabolite norfluoxetine using a cyclodextrin-modified sodium phosphate buffer at pH 2.5. The combination of a neutral and a negatively charged cyclodextrin, dimethylated-beta- and phosphated-gamma-respectively, provided the baseline enantiomeric separation of the two compounds. The very low concentrations of chiral selectors employed together with the use of a high sensitivity detection cell of special design (zeta-shaped) in a diode array UV detector allowed us to reach a limit of detection of 0.005 and 0.01 microg/mL for fluoxetine and norfluoxetine, respectively. Analysis of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine standard mixtures showed a reproducibility of migration times and peak area and linearity in the concentration range of 0.1-2.0 microg/mL. The optimized method was applied to the analysis of clinical serum and plasma samples of patients under depression therapy. In all the analyzed samples the enantiomeric forms of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine were easily identified. The fluoxetine and metabolite enantiomeric ratio confirmed the stereoselectivity of the metabolic process of the fluoxetine drug in accordance with the literature data.     

New extraction method for the analysis of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in marine organisms. Pressurized liquid extraction versus Soxhlet extraction

A new method has been developed for the determination of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) from various marine organisms, and compared with Soxhlet extraction. The technique applied includes the use of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) for the extraction stage, preconcentration of the samples, purification by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and analysis by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The spiked concentrations were added to the samples (wet mass of the organisms: Solea senegalensis and Ruditapes semidecussatus), which were homogenized and agitated continuously for 25 h. The samples were extracted by pressurized hot solvent extraction using two different extraction temperatures (100 and 150 degrees C) and by traditional Soxhlet extraction. The best recoveries were obtained employing pressurized hot solvent extraction at 100 degrees C and varied in the range from 66.1 to 101.3% with a standard deviation of between 2 and 13. Detection limit was between 5 and 15 microg kg(-1) wet mass using HPLC-fluorescence detection. The analytical method developed in this paper has been applied for LAS determination in samples from a Flow-through exposure system with the objective of measuring the bioconcentration of this surfactant.     

Determination of pharmaceuticals of various therapeutic classes by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis in hospital effluent wastewaters

A multi-residue analytical method has been developed and validated for determining a selection of 16 pharmaceuticals: the anti-epileptic carbamazepine, seven analgesic/anti-inflammatory drugs (mefenamic acid, indomethacine, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, ketorolac and acetaminophen), the analgesic opiate codeine, two antidepressants (fluoxetine and paroxetine), beta-blockers (atenolol and propranolol), antibiotic (trimethoprim, metronidazole, and erythromycin) and the anti-ulcer ranitidine in hospital effluent wastewaters. The method allows simultaneous extraction of the pharmaceuticals compounds by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using the Waters Oasis HLB at pH 7. The analytes were then identified and quantitatively determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Recoveries of the pharmaceuticals were higher than 75%, with the exception of ranitidine (45%) and the overall variability of the method was below 9%. The instrumental detection limit (IDL) varied between 2 and 31 pg injected, the method detection limit (LOD) was between 7 and 47 ng/L in spiked hospital effluent. The precision of the method, calculated as relative standard deviation (RSD), ranged from 0.3 to 4.9%. A detail study off matrix effect is included in this work, regarding to signal suppression in these effluent wastewaters from a hospital complex samples. The developed analytical method was applied for preliminary data results in effluent wastewaters from a hospital.