Felbamate measured in serum by two methods: HPLC and capillary electrophoresis

We have developed two methods for determining serum concentrations of felbamate, a new anticonvulsant drug. The first method is based on protein precipitation with acetonitrile, followed by HPLC. The between-run CV for this method is 5.7% (mean 55 mg/L), and the linearity extends from 5 to 175 mg/L. Results by this method compared well with those by an HPLC method based on chloroform extraction (r = 0.98, n = 21). In the second method, based on micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography, the drug is measured by capillary electrophoresis with direct injection of serum. This method can be completed in 5 min compared with 12 min for the HPLC method, and there is no need for sample extraction. The between-run CV is 5.2% (mean 58 mg/L) and the linearity range is 5-160 mg/L. Results of this direct method correlated well (r = 0.98, n = 37) with those by the HPLC assay. The mean trough serum concentration of felbamate in 123 patients taking this drug was 44.9 mg/L (range 12-129 mg/L).