| Abstract: | Abstract An improved procedure for the GLC determination of acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol) in the presence of N-butyryl-p-aminophenol (internal standard) is described. The method is based on the extraction of acetaminophen from plasma with ethyl acetate containing a known amount of N-butyryl-p-aminophenol. Following a clean-up step with a basic buffer solution and neutralization with acid, both compounds are reextracted into ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate is evaporated to dryness and the residue dissolved in 5 μl of pyridine and 15 μl of acetic anhydride at 42°C. One to 2 μl samples are injected directly into the gas chromatograph. This extraction process does not give rise to troublesome interfering peaks in the chromatogram. In addition, it prevents late-eluting peaks which inhibit efficient processing of samples. The recovery of acetaminophen is approximately 54%, and the limit of quantitation 0.5 μg/ml of plasma. Data are presented to illustrate the practicality of the method for bioavailability evaluation from acetaminophen plasma levels after oral administration of 325 mg of an acetaminophen dosage form. |
