Validation of an HPLC method for the determination of ciprofloxacin in human plasma

A simple HPLC method with fluorescence detection of ciprofloxacin in human plasma was developed and validated. After protein precipitation, chromatographic separation of ciprofloxacin in plasma was achieved at 35 degrees C with a C18 column and acetonitrile-phosphate mixture, pH 3, as mobile phase. Quantitative determination was performed by fluorimetry after excitation at 278 nm. The method was specific and validated with a limit of quantification of 41 ng/ml. The intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation were between 0.5 and 6.6% and accuracy between -2.02 and 7.04%. Ciprofloxacin was stable in plasma for 40 days at -20 degrees C and after three freezing-thawing cycles. The method has been applied in a bioequivalence study of two formulation of 500 mg ciprofloxacin.