Determination of a new oral cephalosporin, cefmatilen hydrochloride hydrate, and its seven metabolites in human and animal plasma and urine by coupled systems of ion-exchange and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Multidimensional HPLC systems with coupled anion-exchange, cation-exchange, and reversed-phase columns, and ultraviolet and electrochemical detectors were developed for the determination of cefmatilen and its seven metabolites in the plasma and urine of humans and animals. These target compounds with a wide range of polarities were efficiently separated and determined by HPLC assay methods with simple pretreatments, deproteinization of plasma and dilution of urine. The assay methods showed good linearity, precision and accuracy. The methods were successfully applied to pharmacokinetic and metabolic studies of cefmatilen hydrochloride hydrate administered orally to humans and animals.