Gas chromatographic assay of vigabatrin enantiomers in plasma

A rapid and specific gas chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of plasma R(-)- and S(+)-vigabatrin concentrations. The method involves a double derivatisation step, chromatography on a megabore Chirasil-Val capillary column and thermionic specific detection. Concentrations in the range 1.0-200 micrograms/ml can be measured for R(-)-vigabatrin, and 0.5-100 micrograms/ml for S(+)-vigabatrin, using 250 microliters of plasma. The assay is suitable for pharmacokinetic studies and routine therapeutic drug monitoring in humans.