MASS FRAGMENTOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF CHLORPROMAZINE AND 2 OF ITS ACTIVE METABOLITES IN HUMAN-PLASMA AND CSF

A mass fragmentographic method for the quantitation of chlorpromazine (CPZ), monodemethyl-chlorpromazine (nor1-CPZ), and 7-hydroxychlorpromazine (7-OH-CPZ) in plasma, CSF and tissues was developed. CPZ is used in the treatment of schizophrenia. The deuterated analogues of the compounds are used as internal standards. The high specificity was ascertained by multiple ion determination. The experimental error is below 10%. The sensitivity allows determination of sub ng quantities of CPZ per ml CSF. The method was applied to the analysis of drug concentrations in plasma and CSF of chlorpromazine-treated patients. The amount of CPZ in CSF was about 3% of the plasma level. The CPZ levels in plasma and CSF were significantly correlated.