SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF COMMON BENZODIAZEPINES IN BLOOD USING CAPILLARY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY

Blood samples were extracted with n-butyl acetate, and the extracts analysed by capillary gas chromatography using DB-1 and DB-1701 capillary columns with electron-capture detection. The DB-1701 column was found to give better separation of different benzodiazepines (BZDs). Recoveries ranged from 79 to 98%. Detection limits ranged from 0.005 to 0.015-mu-M for triazolam and flunitrazepam, and from 0.02 to 0.1-mu-M for other BZDs. Data on accuracy and precision are given for diazepam, desmethyldiazepam, flunitrazepam and nitrazepam.