A new HPLC method with fluorescence detection for the determination of memantine in human plasma

A sensitive and selective HPLC method with fluorometric detection was developed for the determination of memantine in human plasma and applied to a pharmacokinetic study. Memantine was precolumn derivatized with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate, and the fluorescent derivative was separated on an RP C18 column using a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-10 mM orthophosphoric acid containing 1 mL/L triethylamine with gradient elution. The method was based on the measurement of the derivative using fluorescence detection at 310 nm with excitation at 260 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range 1.0-50.0 ng/mL. LOD and LOQ were found to be 0.3 and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. Intraday and interday RSD values were less than 3.39%.