A simplified and rapid gas chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of meprobamate in human plasma. The procedure includes a single-step extraction of alkalinized sample with chloroform, and chromatography on a non-polar fused-silica capillary column with flame ionization detection. The method is accurate (97.7 +/- 5.7% at 20 mg/l) and precise (maximum coefficient of variation of 9.5%). It provides an alternative to existing methods and is particularly suitable for toxicological studies.