HPLC determination of morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide and morphine-6-glucuronide in human serum of oncological patients after administration of morphine drugs.

A simultaneous determination of morphine (M) and its two metabolites, morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) and morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G), by HPLC in the serum of oncological patients is described. The compounds are extracted from the serum by means of Chromabond C18--EC solid-phase-extraction cartridges, separated on a Symmetry C18 analytical column (150 x 4.9 mm, 5 microm) and detected by a UV detector at 210 nm.