Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS assay for the quantification of efavirenz in different biological matrices
Paul Curley1, Marco Siccardi1, Darren M Moss1
1Molecular & Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Aim:
The non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor efavirenz is one of the most prescribed antiretroviral therapeutics. Efavirenz-containing therapy has become associated with the occurrence of CNS side effects, including sleep disturbances, depression and even psychosis.
Results:
The investigation of efavirenz distribution required the development of a versatile and sensitive method. In addition to plasma, quantification was required in brain tissue and phosphate-buffered saline. The assay presented here was linear from 1.9 to 500 ng/ml. Accuracy and precision ranged between 93.7 and 99.5%, and 1.5 and 5.6%, respectively.
Discussion:
The method developed here represents a versatile, sensitive and easy-to-use assay. The assay has been applied to in vitro and in vivo samples demonstrating reliable efavirenz quantification in multiple matrices.
