FLUORIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF ACETOHEXAMIDE IN PLASMA AND TABLET FORMULATIONS USING 1-METHYLNICOTINAMIDE

A sensitive method is described for the fluorimetric determination of acetohexamide in plasma or in tablets by means of its reaction with 1-methylnicotinamide, which is shown to be a useful reagent for the determination of ketonic compounds. The limit of detection is approximately 0.2 μg ml-1 and the relative standard deviation is 3.1% for 2 μg ml-1 in plasma. Acetoacetic acid usually does not interfere, but can be separated, if necessary, from acetohexamide by means of a washing technique. No interference is caused by the presence of insulin, other (non-ketonic) oral hypoglycaemic drugs, acetone or pyruvic or α-ketoglutaric acid. Keywords: Acetohexamide determination; plasma; tablets; 1-methylnicotin-amide reagent; spectrofluorimetry.