Quantitation of pregabalin in dried blood spots and dried plasma spots by validated LC–MS/MS methods

▶ Sensitive LC–MS/MS methods for pregabalin determination in DBS and DPS. ▶ Derivatization of pregabalin with n-propyl chloroformate/n-propanol combination. ▶ DBS concentration correction was suggested, due to hematocrit effect. ▶ The validated methods were applied to samples obtained from epileptic patients. ▶ Correlation of DBS and DPS levels for estimation of pregabalin distribution into RBC. In this paper, novel LC–MS/MS methods for the determination of antiepileptic drug pregabalin in dried matrix spots (DMS) are presented. This attractive technique of sample collection in micro amount was utilized in the form of dried blood spots (DBS) and dried plasma spots (DPS). Following a pre-column derivatization procedure, using n-propyl chloroformate in the presence of n-propanol, and consecutive liquid–liquid extraction, derivatized pregabalin and its internal standard, 4-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid, were detected in positive ion mode by applying two SRM transitions per analyte. A YMC-Pack Octyl column (50mm×4.0mm, 3μm particle size) maintained at 30°C, was utilized with running mobile phase composed of acetonitrile: 0.15% formic acid (85:15, v/v). Flow rate was 550μL/min and total run time 2min. Established methods were fully validated over the concentration range of 0.200–20.0μg/mL for DBS and 0.400–40.0μg/mL for DPS, respectively, while specificity, accuracy, precision, recovery, matrix-effect, stability, dilution integrity and spot homogeneity were found within acceptance criteria. Validated methods were applied for the determination of pregabalin levels in dried blood and plasma samples obtained from patients with epilepsy, after per os administration of commercial capsules. Comparison of drug level in blood and plasma, as well as correction steps undertaken in order to overcome hematocrit issue, when analyzing DBS, are also given.