A new HPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of SGLT2 inhibitors and metformin in plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers.

Monitoring the plasma concentrations of metformin and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin) is essential for pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies and therapeutic monitoring. The present work therefore aimed to develop and validate a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous quantification of these drugs in human plasma. The analyses were performed using an Agilent 1200 HPLC system coupled to an Applied Biosystems API 3200 triple quadrupole MS/MS with electrospray ionization in positive ion mode.