Determination of methylphenidate in plasma and saliva by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a phenethylamine derivative used in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In adults, clinical monitoring of MPH therapy is usually performed by measuring plasma MPH concentrations. In children blood sampling is however undesirable. Saliva may be an alternative matrix for monitoring MPH concentrations with the advantage that it can be obtained non-invasively. Therefore, we developed an analytical method for the quantification of MPH in both plasma and saliva. We present the validation of a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric method using a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column (HILIC). In 100 μL sample, proteins were precipitated with 750 μL acetonitrile/methanol 84/16 (v/v) containing d9-methylphenidate as the internal standard. Standard curves were prepared over the MPH concentration range of 0.5–100.0 μg/L. The total analysis time was 45 s. Accuracy and within- and between-run imprecision were in the range of 98–108% and less than 7.0%, respectively. Matrix effects were greater for plasma than saliva with 46% and 8% ionization suppression. The matrix effects were adequately compensated by the use of deuterated MPH as internal standard. MPH significantly degraded in plasma and saliva at room temperature and 5 °C. Samples were stable at −20 °C for at least 4 weeks. The method was successfully applied for the determination of MPH concentrations in plasma and saliva samples from an adult healthy volunteer. Using protein precipitation and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, this method allows fast, accurate and precise quantification of MPH in both plasma and saliva.

► A LC–MS/MS method was validated for the determination of methylphenidate (MPH) in plasma and saliva.
► The method allows fast, accurate and precise quantification of MPH in both plasma and saliva.
► The use of deuterated MPH as an internal standard is essential, due to matrix effects of plasma.
► MPH is degraded in plasma and saliva; clinical samples should be stored at −20 °C directly after sampling.