Measurement of propericiazine in plasma by capillary gas chromatography and selected ion monitoring detection

A new method, based upon a selective extraction and gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis, was developed to monitor the effect of combined haemoperfusion‐haemodialysis treatment in a case of propericiazine poisoning. The method relies on the selected ion monitoring of the acetate derivatives of propericiazine and its internal standard fluphenazine, after their extraction from 1 ml of alkalinized plasma with n‐hexane: isopropanol (8:2, v/v), back‐extraction into an acidified water phase, realkalinization and extraction with n‐hexane:isopropanol, derivatization with acetic anhydride and gas chromatography on a short (12 m) OV‐101 fused silica capillary column. The described procedure is specific and provides between‐assay variability of 4.8% CV at 5 μg I−1 plasma concentration. The method enables quantification down to 1 μg I−1 and hence demonstrates sufficient sensitivity to permit pharmacokinetic or drug monitoring studies.