Analytical methodologies for the determination of sertraline.

Sertraline is a widely used antidepressant belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class; its efficacy has been demonstrated not only in the treatment of major depression, obsessive compulsive and panic disorders, but also for eating, premenstrual dysphoric and post-traumatic stress disorders. Several methods have been published for the determination of sertraline in pharmaceuticals, biological materials and environmental samples. The purpose of the current review is to provide a systematic survey of the latest analytical techniques for the determination of sertraline covering the period from 1987 until 2008.

Analytical methodologies for the determination of cisplatin.

cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) is a important chemotherapeutic drug for cancer treatment since 1978. Unfortunately, because of the severe side-effects like nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, etc., they are administered in small doses at low concentration establishing the maximum limit dosage to 100 mg/m(2) (21 days). A variety of analytical methods have been proposed for the determination of cisplatin in biological fluids and tissues that permit the accurate determination at or below the part per billion level in the native sample. The purpose of the current review is to provide a systematic survey of the latest analytical techniques for the determination of cisplatin in biological samples.

Recent advances in analytical determination of thalidomide and its metabolites.

Thalidomide, a racemate, is coming into clinical use as immuno-modulating and anti-inflammatory drug. Thalidomide was approved by the FDA in July 1998 for the treatment of erythema nodusum leprosum associated with leprosy. Recently, thalidomide is proving to be a promising drug in the treatment of a number of cancers and inflammatory diseases, such as multiple myeloma, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease), HIV and cancer associated cachexia. These effects may chiefly be exerted by S-thalidomide, but the enantiomers are inter-converted in vivo. Thalidomide is given orally, although parenteral administration would be desirable in some clinical situations. Thalidomide has been determined in formulations and, principally in biological fluids by a variety of methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The overview includes the most relevant analytical methodologies used in its determination.

Ribavirin: analytical determinations since the origin until today.

Ribavirin (RV) (1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide), is a synthetic purine nucleoside analog with a broad spectrum of antiviral activity. To better understand the mechanism of action of RV, as well as its pharmacokinetic characteristics, an assay that can allow specific, sensitive, and accurate measurement of RV in biologic samples is critical. In this way, diverse analytical methods have been established. In this work, we have recompiled these methods with the aim to present the different options for the RV determination.

Morphine and its metabolites: analytical methodologies for its determination.

The present article reviews the methods of determination published for morphine and its metabolites covering the period from 1980 until at the first part of 2006. The overview includes the most relevant analytical determinations classified in the following two types: (1) non-chromatographic methods and (2) chromatographic methods.