Improved selectivity for high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of clonazepam in plasma of epileptic patients.

We report a high-performance liquid chromatography method for clonazepam determination in plasma. The use of a synthetic silica-based stationary phase markedly improved clonazepam resolution compared to standard reversed-phase columns. A liquid-liquid extraction was used, associated with reversed-phase chromatography, gradient elution and ultraviolet detection.

Stability of rifampin in plasma: consequences for therapeutic monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies.

Interest in determining plasma levels of rifampin for adjustment of dosage regimens has increased, but conflicting results exist concerning rifampin stability. The authors developed a high-performance liquid chromatography assay to monitor rifampin plasma concentrations that was used to study the possible degradation of rifampin in plasma samples. This report describes the stability of rifampin in plasma kept at an ambient temperature for 24 hours or stored at -20 degrees C for 2 weeks.

Nebulization and anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa activity of colistin.

Colistin aerosols are frequently administered to patients with cystic fibrosis. However, questions arise concerning the effect of both jet and ultrasonic nebulizers on the properties of the drug. The aim of this study was to characterize the anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) activity of colistin after jet (Pari LL) and ultrasonic (DP100) nebulization.

Effect of tamoxifen on the pharmacokinetics of theophylline in rats.

The effect of tamoxifen on the pharmacokinetics of theophylline was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The oral administration of tamoxifen at a dose equal to 40 mg kg-1 48 h before the intravenous injection of theophylline 10 mg kg-1, significantly (P < 0.05) increased the clearance of theophylline by 39%, with no apparent effect on the volume of distribution.