Determination of lormetazepam and its main metabolite in serum using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with direct injection and ultraviolet absorbance detection

The use of micellar electrokinetic chromatography for the determination of lormetazepam and its metabolite, lorazepam, in serum samples at a concentration range of therapeutic interest was investigated. The separation was carried out at 30 °C and 25 kV, using a 15 mM borate–phosphate buffer (pH 8) with 30 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate as the separation electrolyte and 15% methanol as organic modifier. The analyses were carried out in 20 min under these conditions. Detection limits of 0.5 mg l−1 were achieved for both benzodiazepines in serum. This method was employed for the quantitative resolution of both drugs (at different concentration ratios) in serum with very good recoveries.