Determination of promethazine in serum by liquid chromatography

We describe a procedure for the liquid-chromatographic determination of promethazine in low-nanogram concentrations in serum. Triflupromazine is used as the internal standard. The method is based on a single extraction of promethazine from serum with hexane and subsequent derivatization with trichloroethyl chloroformate. Analytical recovery of promethazine is about 90%. The lower limit of detection is 1 microgram/L when a 2.0-mL aliquot of serum is assayed. Our data illustrate the practicability of the method for bioavailability studies after oral or rectal administration of promethazine hydrochloride.