A rapid g.l.c. procedure for the determination of codeine and norcodeine in biological fluids based on micro-phase extraction techniques.

Therapeutic serum concentrations of codeine can be virtually completely extracted and obtained sufficiently concentrated for g.c. measurement without distillation, by acid extraction of the drug from the initial crude organic extracts of alkalinized serum followed by a micro-phase back extraction step. The procedure has simplicity, rapidity and eliminates concentration by distillation and background interference. The method can be readily adapted for the seperate measurements of codeine and norcodeine and it can also be used for similar analysis of other body fluids.