A sensitive and rapid method for the analysis of trazodone (TZD) and its metabolite, 1-(m-chlorophenyl)piperazine (m-CPP), in the serum and urine of rabbits treated with the drug was developed. The assay requires extraction from the biological fluids with adequately buffered organic solvents followed by HPLC. The assay allows good reproducibility, fair recovery, and excellent linearity in the range of 0.6 to 10 micrograms/mL for TZD and 1.2 to 20 micrograms/mL for m-CPP.

In this study the authors report a new method to determine estazolam in blood and urine by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). This compound is a triazolobenzodiazepine and shows an interesting psychopharmacological activity. The extraction from biological fluids was carried out using a mixture of ethylenechloride, methylenechloride, and ethylacetate (1:1:8). The HPLC analysis was carried out with a C18 column, using methanol:phosphate buffer (pH 7.5, 0.011M):acetonitrile (65:33:2) as mobile phase. The detector was set at lambda = 240 nm. The method shows good repeatability and a linear response in the range of 0.6 to 10 micrograms estazolam/mL both in serum and urine. A case of non-lethal acute intoxication in which the method was applied is also reported.

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