Reliable method for the determination of ranitidine by liquid chromatography using a microvolume of plasma

The aim of the present study was to develop a simple method to measure ranitidine, using 100 μl of plasma, by high-performance liquid chromatography with a Symmetry C18 column and UV detection at 313 nm. Linearity was assessed in the range from 50 to 1500 ng ml−1 and had a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The inter- and intra-day coefficients of variation were less than 7%. The limits of detection and quantitation were 5 and 15 ng ml−1, respectively. Drug levels were determined satisfactorily in three patients. A simple and reliable method was developed which uses a microvolume of plasma, particularly useful in low-weight children.