HPLC with on-line mass spectrometry detection application to elucidate erdosteine metabolism: preliminary study

A newer technique, HPLC with mass spectrometry (MS) detection has been used to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of a new mucoactive compound, erdosteine and its metabolites (N-thioglycolilhomocysteine and homocysteine). To this aim a population of 12 patients of both genders with mean age 52.1 +/- 6.34 years was enrolled in a trial after protocol approval from Ethics Committe e and informed consent obtainment. The patients were treated with erdostein e for 7 days and blood samples were obtained at baseline and on 8th day for analytical purposes. The obtained results are discussed in correlation wit h those of two previous existing trials on the same product.