In vivo monitoring of gabapentin in rats: A microdialysis study coupled tocapillary electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence detection

Gabapentin (GP) is a new anticonvulsant used in refractory epilepsy. Few st udies have monitored the drug in vivo. We report the combination of capilla ry electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence detection (CZE-LIFD) with brain microdialysis and plasma ultrafiltration in an attempt to measure GP and offer an alternative technique for pharmacokinetic studies. We found t hat CZE-LIFD is capable of Linearly measuring 10(-7)-10(-9) M GP in a 1 nL volume. It was also demonstrated that it is possible to monitor GP in prefr ontal cortex dialysates and plasma in rats. It is concluded that the method permits in vivo monitoring of the drug in pharmacological as well as in cl inical studies.