Abstract
A simple, rapid and sensitive method for measuring methylphenidate in human plasma by HPLC has been developed. After the addition of the internal standard, ethylphenidate, the two compounds are extracted under basic conditions. The residue obtained is resuspended in acetonitrile and analysed on an ODS reversed phase column with detection by UV absorbance at 192 nm. The limit of sensitivity is 5 ng/ml and the procedure is linear over the 5–50 ng/ml concentration range.