A quantitative LC/MSMS method for determination of edoxaban, a Xa inhibitor and its pharmacokinetic application in patients after total knee arthroplasty

Abstract Edoxaban was extracted from human plasma by simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile, followed by quantitative determination using a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method. The recoveries of edoxaban and the internal standard (ticlopidine) from human plasma were >85%, and the within‐ and between‐day coefficients of variation were within 15%. The limit of quantification in human plasma was 1 ng/mL. The concentration of edoxaban in blood decreased at room temperature, but remained unchanged for 1 week at 4°C. On the other hand, the concentration in plasma at both −20 and −80°C remained unchanged for 5 months. These results indicated that blood samples should be centrifuged immediately or stored at 4°C, and that plasma samples should be stored below −20°C until analysis. This method was applied to human plasma obtained from four patients after total knee arthroplasty. Analysis of edoxaban pharmacokinetics demonstrated an absorption time lag of 4h, a maximum concentration of 110 ± 26 ng/mL and an oral clearance of 37 ± 16 L/h. The analytical methods established in this study will be suitable for determining the concentrations of edoxaban in human plasma.