A method for the determination of amodiaquine

A new fluorometric method for analysis of amodiaquine in serum, plasma, or red cells is described. Amodiaquine is extracted from alkalinized biological fluid into 1,2-dichloroethane and is then re-extracted into 0.1 N hydrochloric acid. Borate buffer is added to the acid solution and the resultant solution is heated for 30 min in boiling water. Heating the buffered solution produces a marked increase in the fluorescence of amodiaquine, which may then be measured. Standard curves prepared in serum and red cells were linear between 50 and 3 000 mug/litre. Reproducibility of the assay and recovery of amodiaquine from serum and red cells were satisfactory. The specificity of the assay and the nature of the induced fluorophor are not known. The paper indicates representative serum and red cell levels of amodiaquine after the administration to 5 subjects of 10 mg of amodiaquine base per kg of body weight.