Screening for and validated quantification of amphetamines and of amphetamine‐ and piperazine‐derived designer drugs in human blood plasma by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Frank T. Peters, Simone Schaëfer, Roland F. Staack, Thomas Kræmer, Hans H Maurer
Journal of Mass Spectrometry June 1, 2003 DOI: 10.1002/jms.483 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Method validation study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Human blood plasma samples |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Designer drug Derivatization Piperazine Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry Analyte Amphetamine Forensic toxicology Detection limit Phenethylamines Selected ion monitoring Solid phase extraction Pharmacology |
| Citations | 171 |
| Key points | The described gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method allows reliable screening and quantification of 15 amphetamine- and piperazine-derived drugs and metabolites in human plasma, with linearity from 5 to 1000 µg/L and a quantification limit of 5 µg/L for all analytes. |
Abstract
Abstract The classical stimulants amphetamine, methamphetamine, ethylamphetamine and the amphetamine‐derived designer drugs MDA, MDMA (‘ecstasy’), MDEA, BDB and MBDB have been widely abused for a relatively long time. In recent years, a number of newer designer drugs have entered the illicit drug market. 4‐Methylthioamphetamine (MTA), p ‐methoxyamphetamine (PMA) and p ‐methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) are also derived from amphetamine. Other designer drugs are derived from piperazine, such as benzylpiperazine (BZP), methylenedioxybenzylpiperazine (MDBP), trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP), m ‐chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) and p ‐methoxyphenylpiperazine (MeOPP). A number of severe or even fatal intoxications involving these newer substances, especially PMA, have been reported. This paper describes a method for screening for and simultaneous quantification of the above‐mentioned compounds and the metabolites p ‐hydroxyamphetamine and p ‐hydroxymethamphetamine (pholedrine) in human blood plasma. The analytes were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the selected‐ion monitoring mode after mixed‐mode solid‐phase extraction (HCX) and derivatization with heptafluorobutyric anhydride. The method was fully validated according to international guidelines. It was linear from 5 to 1000 µg l −1 for all analytes. Data for accuracy and precision were within required limits with the exception of those for MDBP. The limit of quantification was 5 µg l −1 for all analytes. The applicability of the assay was proven by analysis of authentic plasma samples and of a certified reference sample. This procedure should also be suitable for confirmation of immunoassay results positive for amphetamines and/or designer drugs of the ecstasy type. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.