Determination of serum atenolol using HPLC with fluorescence detection following isolation with activated charcoal

In order to determine the bio-availability and pharmacokinetics of two oral 100 mg atenolol preparations, a simple analytical method was developed. Atenolol was determined in serum submitted to an extraction procedure consisting of: (a) adsorption of atenolol to activated charcoal at pH 11, (b) washing the charcoal with water to remove co-extracts and (c) elution of atenolol from the charcoal with organic solvent. The extracts were then analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from eight healthy humans involved in a clinical bioavailability trial are also presented.