Simplified automated procedure for measurement of certain catecholamine drugs delivered from aerosol inhalation units.

An automated colorimetric method is described for the measurement of certain catecholamine drugs, such as isoproterenol and epinephrine, in sample solutions derived from 2 metered doses delivered from the mouthpiece of aerosol inhalation units. The procedure, applicable to the expressed product, involves oxidizing the catecholamine with potassium ferricyanide at pH 6 to produce an aminochrome. This method is similar to the well known trihydroxyindole reaction procedure but differs in that the formed aminochrome is measured spectrophotometrically at 495 nm instead of being further derivatized by alkaline rearrangement to the trihydroxyindole species followed by either spectrophotometric or fluorometric measurement.