An LC-MS-MS method for the determination of indinavir, an HIV-1 protease inhibitor, in human plasma

A method for the determination of indinavir (IDV) (L-735 524) in human plas ma by LC-MS-MS is discussed, and the validation data is presented. The anal yte and internal standard are isolated from plasma by a simple acetonitrile precipitation of plasma proteins Followed by centrifugation. LC-tandem mas s spectrometry in positive ion, multiple reaction monitoring mode used pair s of ions at m/z of 614/421 for indinavir and 628/421 for internal standard , respectively. The calibration curve had a linear range from 3.0 to 12370 ng/ml when linear least square regression weighing 1/x was applied to the c oncentration versus peak area plot. The advantages of this method are the f ast sample preparation, wide dynamic assay range and quick analysis taking only 5 min for each sample run. The robust nature of this assay has been fu rther verified during routine use over several months involving multiple an alysts. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.