RP-HPLC analysis of flucloxacillin in human plasma: validation and application to a bioequivalence study

A RP-HPLC method with rapid sample processing was developed for quantitation of flucloxacillin in human plasma using dicloxacillin as the internal standard. The plasma sample (100 microL) was acidified with glacial acetic acid, and deproteinized by precipitation with acetonitrile. The supernatant was directly injected into the HPLC system. Separation was achieved on an Alltima C18 column (250 mmx4.6 mm I.D., 5 microm), with a mixture of 10 mmol x L(-1) KH2PO4-acetonitrile (64.5:35.5, v/v) as mobile phase. The assay was successfully applied to a randomized, two-period cross-over bioequivalence study in 20 healthy Chinese volunteers following a single oral dose of 250 mg flucloxacillin capsules. A non-compartmental method was used for pharmacokinetic analysis. Compared with data in the literature, flucloxacillin was eliminated more slowly in Chinese than in Caucasians. Cmax, AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-infinity) were tested for bioequivalence after log-transformation of data. No significant difference was found. Tmax was analyzed by Wilcoxon's test and no significant difference was obtained (P > 0.05). Based on these statistical inferences, the two formulations were judged to be bioequivalent and, thus, can be prescribed interchangeably.