Determination of nifedipine in serum or plasma by reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Therapeutic concentrations of nifedipine in serum or plasma were measured by reversed-phase liquid chromatography, with detection by ultraviolet absorbance at 235 nm. In the procedure a disposable reversed-phase extraction column is used. A 1-mL sample is required. The method is sensitive to 3 micrograms of nifedipine per liter and the standard curve is linear to at least 400 micrograms/L. Coefficients of variation at 100 micrograms/L were 2.2% within-run, 2.8% between-run. The method has been used to determine nifedipine in patients involved in a test of its efficacy in treating muscular dystrophy.