A Validated HPLC Method with Fluorescence Detection for the Determination of Droperidol in Pharmaceutical Tablets,Human Serum,and Human Milk

A sensitive and simple HPLC method with fluorimetric detection has been developed for determination of droperidol in pharmaceutical tablets, human serum, and human milk. Chromatography was performed on a 100 mm × 3 mm i.d. C₁₈ column with methanol–water, 30:70 (v/v), pH 3.5, as mobile phase at a flow-rate of 0.8 mL min⁻¹. The injection volume was 5 μL and detection was by monitoring emission at 324 nm after excitation at 283 nm. Droperidol and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (internal standard) eluted after 5.3 and 6.1 min, respectively. The method was validated over the concentration range 1.14 × 10⁻⁷ to 9.12 × 10⁻⁶ M. Selectivity was good and the limits of detection and quantitation of the method were approximately 3.54 × 10⁻⁸ and 1.07 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively, corresponding to 13 and 40 ng mL⁻¹. The applicability of the method to determination of droperidol in pharmaceuticals, human serum, and human milk was demonstrated.