Analysis of Terbutaline in Human Serum by Thin-Layer Fluorimetry

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Abstract
An assay procedure has been developed for the measurement of terbutaline levels in human serum following a single 5 mg oral dose. Intact drug could be analyzed, or conjugates hydrolyzed for the determination of total terbutaline. Terbutaline and metaproterenol (internal standard) were isolated from serum by ion-exchange fractionation followed by extraction into s.-butanol. The compounds were separated by thin-layer chromatography and fluorescence induced by heating with glyoxylic acid. Quantitation was performed in situ using a scanning densitometer. Serum levels of total terbutaline were followed in nine normal males, and intact terbutaline in three of these subjects.