[Plasma assay of clomipramine and demethylclomipramine by high performance liquid chromatography]

A technique for assay of clomipramine (Anafranil) and its demethylated metabolite by high performance liquid chromatography is described in this study. This technique utilizes an XoA 800 normal phase column and a quaternary solvent composed of dietylamine, water, acetonitrile, and ethanol. Plasma of patients was extracted with hexane in an alkaline medium (pH 10). The use of an internal standard seemed to improve the assay's repeatability. The simplicity and rapidity of this technique should make it a useful aid for determining optimal doses of Anafranil for patients with depression.