Simultaneous Determination of Candesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide in Human Plasma by HPLC-MS/MS

Introduction. Combined drugs have the greatest efficacy and safety in arterial hypertension treatment. The combination of candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (AT₁-receptor antagonist and a thiazide diuretic, respectively) provides high efficiency of antihypertensive combination therapy, therefore it is widely used in medical practice. Developing a method for simultaneous determination of candesartan and hydrochlorithiazide in human blood plasma is necessary for performing the analytical part of pharmacokinetic studies and bioequivalence studies of multicomponent drugs.

Aim. The aim of this study is to develop a method for quantitative determination of candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for further bioequivalence studies.

Materials and methods. Determination of candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma by HPLC-MS/MS. The samples were processed by acetonitrile protein precipitation. Internal standard: mixed solution of valsartan and indapamide. Mobile phase: 0.1 % formic acid solution in water (eluent A), 0.1 % formic acid in acetonitrile (eluent B). Column: Phenomenex Luna Phenyl-Hexyl, 50x4.6 mm, 5 μm. Analytical range: 2.00–300.00 ng/mL for candesartan, 2.00–200.00 ng/mL for hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma. Ionization source: electrospray ionization. Detection conditions: 441.10 → 192.00 m/z, 441.10 → 263.15 m/z (candesartan), 295.85 → 269.00 m/z (hydrochlorothiazide), 436.00 → 207.05 m/z (valsartan), 363.85 → 132.10, 363.85 → 189.00 m/z (indapamide).

Results and discussion. This method was validated by selectivity, matrix effect, calibration curve, accuracy, precision, spike recovery, the lower limit of quantification, carry-over effect and stability. The developed method meets the requirements for conducting bioequivalence studies of medicinal products within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Conclusion. The analytical range was 2.00–300.00 ng/mL for candesartan, 2.00–200.00 ng/mL for hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma. The method was applied in BE study of the combination of candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide.

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