Aim: An adaptive method to determine ibuprofen enantiomers with limited volume of plasma required is necessary for investigating PK of ibuprofen in neonates.
Results: Enantiomer separation was achieved on a Lux cellulose 3 column with mobile phase consisting of methanol water (85:15, v/v) and formic acid (0.0075%) at isocratic rate of 0.2 ml/min. Calibration curve is linear for each enantiomer at the range of 0.1-60 μg/ml. Validation was conducted and results met requirements regarding to intra- and inter-run precision, accuracy and recovery. No matrix effect or interference was observed from neonatal plasma or comedications. Only 20 μl of plasma was requested in this study.
Conclusion: This assay was specific and reliable to quantify ibuprofen enantiomers in neonate plasma.
Keywords: HPLC–MS/MS; enantiomers; ibuprofen; interference; neonate.