SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS AND METABOLITES BYHPLC - DESIGN AND VALIDATION OF A SIMPLE AND RELIABLE ANALYTICAL PROCEDURE

An analytical procedure suitable for routine use has been developed an d validated for the simultaneous separation and quantification of most of the antidepressant drugs (bicyclic, tricyclic and tetracyclic) and their metabolites in human serum by reversed-phase high performance l iquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The method has good s ensitivity and specificity, without the need for long and complex extr action procedures. The results obtained with three different analytica l columns were compared and an improvement in specificity by selection of column and detection wavelength used was achieved.