A rapid gas liquid chromatography method for simultaneous determination of various anticonvulsants

The purpose of this study was to develop a rapid GLC method for the simultaneous determination of the following anticonvulsants: Carbamazepine, Diphenylhydantoin, Phenobarbital, and Primidone. Using a metal column (OV-17) with flash heater methylation as well as high N2 flow-rate, a quantitative methylation of the above anticonvulsants was obtained. A selective temperature program proved to be the decisive factor in separating the various methylated anticonvulsants. The GLC program was completed within 13 min. This method permits a rapid, simultanous and quantitative determination of various important anticonvulsants.