Abstract

This paper describes the production of two different antibodies against diazepam analogs, one being specific for diazepam and the other one recognizing both diazepam and its N-demethylated metabolite. By using these antisera, a radioimmunoassay was developed capable of detecting 1 ng of diazepam which is linear up to 100 ng. The radioimmunoassay has been applied for the measurement of both diazepam and N-desmethyldiazepam in dried ether extracts of whole human blood. Values were compared with those determined by gas-liquid chromatography and found to be in good agreement. This assay might find application especially when only limited amounts of blood or plasma are available.