[Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric determinations of indomethacin serum levels in the course of pharmacokinetic studies in healthy volunteers].

For 4 different brands of indomethacin preparations the in vitro dissolution data as well as their relative bioavailabilities were determined. The in vitro tests were performed by the rotating basket method; the quantitative determinations of the serum-levels were determined by an gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric assay employing registration of the characteristic selected ion current profiles of the compound. Furthermore a special method for synthesis of the needed internal standard was also developed. The in-vivo-studies - with 15 volunteers in a 4 fold crossover-showed - in contrast to the worse in-vitro-dissolution of one preparation - bioequivalency of all four preparations. Our results clearly show that statements on in-vitro/in-vivo correlations have to be cautious.