We present a method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of felbinac and its major metabolites in human plasma and urine by HPLC-MS/MS and its application. Qualitative analysis through LC-Triple-TOF-MS/MS indicated that oxidization was the main phase-I metabolic pathway of felbinac in human, conjugation with sulfate and glucuronide groups produced at least 7 phase-II metabolites. Quantitative analysis through HPLC-MS/MS in MRM mode was developed and validated for the quantification of felbinac and its major metabolite (4'-hydroxyfelbinac) in human plasma and urine. Linear calibration curves were obtained for felbinac and 4'-hydroxyfelbinac in plasma and urine (r>0.996); intra- and inter-day precision values (RSD%) obtained were ranged from 1.13 to 6.49%, and the accuracy were between 95.9% and 108.6% for the two analytes. The pharmacokinetics and excretion analysis showed that the t1/2 of 4'-hydroxyfelbinac (8.25 ± 4.15 h) is a litter longer than that of felbinac (6.13 ± 2.01 h), but the mean AUC(0-t) value of felbinac was about 20 times higher than that of 4'-hydroxyfelbinac; excretion of felbinac and 4'-hydroxyfelbinac reached their peak values at about 3-6h after intravenous administration of felbinac trometamol in human.
Keywords: Excretion; Felbinac; HPLC–MS/MS; Human; Metabolites; Pharmacokinetics.
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