Determination of valganciclovir and ganciclovir in human plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric detection

Objectives: The aim of this work was to develop a simple, sensitive and selective LC/MS/MS method for the assay of valganciclovir and ganciclovir in human plasma. Design and methods: Sample preparation involved solid phase extraction on mix mode cation exchanger. Separation was performed on Chromolith RP18e column using water, trifluoroacetic acid (1 M, pH 4.4) and methanol (29.9:0.1:70, v/v) as mobile phase. Both analytes were detected by electro spray ionization mass spectrometry in positive ion multiple reaction monitoring mode. Results: CCs with good linearties having r >= 0.9990 and >= 0.9992 were obtained in the range of 5-800 ng/mL and 70-11,200 ng/mL for valganciclovir and ganciclovir, respectively. The extraction recoveries were around 85% for both the analytes. Conclusion: The method provided a simple and selective procedure that can be easily used for the evaluation of the pharmacokinetic profile of valganciclovir and ganciclovir in human plasma. (C) 2011 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.