LAUSR

&NA; Millions of people worldwide live with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection thus justifying the continuous search for new prevention and treatment strategies, including topical microbicide products combining antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) such as tenofovir (TFV) and efavirenz (EFV). Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop and validate a high performance liquid chromatography method coupled to triple quadrupole‐tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) for the quantification of TFV and EFV in biological matrices (mouse vaginal tissue, vaginal lavage and blood plasma). Chromatographic separation was achieved using a reversed phase C18 column (3 &mgr;m, 100 × 2.1 mm) at 45 °C and elution in gradient mode using a combination of 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in water and 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in acetonitrile at 0.35 mL min−1. Total run time was 9 min, with retention time of 2.8 and 4.1 min for TFV and EFV, respectively. The MS was operated in positive ionization mode (ESI+) for TFV and in negative ionization mode (ESI‐) for EFV detection. Data were acquired in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode and deuterated ARVs were employed as internal standards. Calibration curves were linear for ARV concentrations ranging from 4 to 500 ng mL−1 with LOD and LOQ for both analytes ≤0.4 and ≤0.7 ng mL−1 in sample extracts, respectively. The method was found to be specific, accurate (96.0–106.0% of nominal values) and precise (RSD < 2.4%) in all matrices. Both TFV and EFV were found to be stable in all matrices after standing 24 h at room temperature (20 °C) or in the autosampler, and after three freeze‐thawing cycles. Mean recovery values of ARVs spiked in mice tissues or fluids were ≥88.4%. Matrix effects were observed for EFV determination in tissue and plasma extracts but compensated by the use of deuterated internal standards. The proposed methodology was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study following intravaginal administration of both ARVs. Graphical abstract Figure. No caption available. HighlightsQuantification of tenofovir (TFV) and efavirenz (EFV) was attained for 4–500 ng mL−1.Validated LC–MS/MS method for vaginal tissue, lavage and blood plasma was developed.Matrix effects were observed for EFV in tissue (+17%) and plasma (−50%) extracts.LOD and LOQ values were ≤0.4 and ≤0.7 ng mL−1 in sample extracts.PK profile after intravaginal administration showed low systemic exposure.