Determination of lamotrigine in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Lamotrigine (LTG) is a widely used anti-epileptic drug that is administered to avoid seizures and to maintain seizure-free status. However, several factors reportedly cause individual differences of plasma LTG levels, and the therapeutic target range of LTG varies between individuals. Thus, to optimize effective doses of LTG, we developed a rapid and simple method for determining plasma LTG concentrations.

Lamotrigine and the internal standard papaverine were extracted from human plasma using solid-phase extraction. After filtration, 5-μL aliquots of final samples were injected into the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry instrument and LTG and internal standard were separated using a Cadenza CD-C18 column (100 × 2 mm, 3 μm) with 0.1% formic acid in water/acetonitrile (2/1, v/v).

The calibration curve was linear from 0.2 to 5.0 μg/mL, and assessments of recovery, intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy, matrix effects, freeze and thaw stability, and long-term stability demonstrated good reproducibility. Retention times of LTG and internal standard were 1.6 and 2.0 minutes, respectively, and the total run time was 3.5 minutes for each sample.

We developed a rapid and simple method for determining plasma LTG concentrations. The present novel system could be used to inform LTG dose adjustments for individual patients.