Determination of methadone and its primary metabolite in biologic fluids using gas chromatography with...

A method is described for the determination of methadone and its primary metabolite, 1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenyl-2-ethylidinepyrrolidine, in biologic fluids using gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. A simple extraction scheme is employed that is convenient for processing the large numbers of samples generated in pharmacokinetic studies. The method is sensitive enough for accurate determination of concentrations less than 5 ng/mL of both methadone and its primary metabolite in 1 mL of biologic specimens.