Development and validation of LC-MS/MS method for determination of plasma apixaban

Abstract

Oral anticoagulants are a group of drugs used for the prevention and treatment of venous thrombosis and venous thromboembolism. For the last ten years, direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) have been available and are equally effective, but significantly safer than vitamin K antagonists. In the case of an overdose, their most important side effect is still bleeding. Due to their widespread use, as well as increased toxicological importance there is a need to develop an analytical method for the determination of DOAC in biological material. The aim of this paper was to establish a method for the quantification of apixaban as one of the representatives of DOAC. The methodology of the study included the measurement of apixaban in the plasma of patients treated in the intensive care unit. Plasma apixaban concentrations were determined by LC-MS/MS technique using carbamazepine as an internal standard. Obtained validation parameters indicate that the introduced method is sensitive, reliable, precise and accurate. Using this method, apixaban can be quickly and easily detected and quantified in plasma in patients who are suspected of overdosing with this drug.