A validated HPLC assay to monitor riluzole plasma or serum concentrations in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

A specific, accurate and precise high-performance liquid chromatographic assay was developed for the determination of riluzole, a drug used to treat patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Samples were treated by extraction with dichloromethane followed by reversed-phase chromatography with ultraviolet detection at 260 nm. Preset validation criteria were met from 20 to 2000 ng/mL with a linear response curve. Extraction recovery of riluzole was 65-76%. The accuracy of the method was 102-103%. Intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation were in the ranges 2.8-4.9% and 1.8-9.7%. A detection limit of 5 ng/mL was found. Determination of concentrations in serum and plasma resulted in similar results below 500 ng/mL. At higher values a matrix effect cannot be excluded. This presented method can be used to monitor plasma or serum levels in ALS patients treated with riluzole.