Capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Thousands of tons of pharmacologically active substances are used annually to treat or to prevent illnesses, or to help people with the stress of modern life. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the group most often used in human health care, since they are available without prescription for treatment of fever and minor pain. The present review addresses the use of various modes of capillary electrophoresis (CE) for the analysis of NSAIDs. Special attention is paid to those aspects that decrease the limits of detection of these drugs by using an electrophoretic or a chromatographic approach to preconcentration. We also examine application of CE to the analysis of NSAIDs from pharmaceutical preparations, biological samples and water samples with their sample pre-treatments. Finally, we briefly outline future trends.