Comparison of methods for the analysis of tricyclic antidepressants in small whole blood samples

Determination of several psychiatric drugs in whole blood using capillary gas–liquid chromatography with nitrogen phosphorus detection: comparison of two solid phase extraction procedures

A simple and reliable gas chromatographic method with nitrogen-phosphorus detection without derivatization was developed for the detection of several psychiatric drugs in whole blood as part of systematic toxicological analyses (STA). Drugs included mirtazapine, chlorpromazine, methotrimeprazine (levomepromazine), clothiapine, olanzapine, clozapine, haloperidol, and thioridazine. All drugs were studied at concentrations of 100-2,000 microg/L, except haloperidol that was studied at concentrations of 400-8,000 microg/L. In order to select the best blood purification procedure and therefore increase the signal to noise ratio we have compared two solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns, Chem Elut and Bond Elut Certify, for their recovery, precision, sensitivity and matrix purification efficiency. Recoveries for these drugs using Chem Elut columns at 500 and 2,000 microg/L (2,000 and 8,000 microg/L for haloperidol) were in the range 21-65%, with intra-assay and inter-assay precisions of less than 17% and 19%, respectively. Limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantitation (LOQs) for mirtazapine, chlorpromazine, methotrimeprazine, clothiapine, olanzapine, clozapine, and thioridazine ranged from 62 to 161 microg/L and from 205 to 531 microg/L, respectively. LOD and LOQ for haloperidol were 442 and 1,458 microg/L, respectively. Recoveries of these compounds using Bond Elut Certify columns at 500 and 2,000 microg/L (2,000 and 8,000 microg/L for haloperidol) were in the range 44-97%, with intra-assay and inter-assay precisions of less than 7% and 14%, respectively. LODs and LOQs for mirtazapine, chlorpromazine, methotrimeprazine, clothiapine, olanzapine, clozapine, and thioridazine ranged from 37 to 66 microg/L and from 122 to 218 microg/L, respectively. LOD and LOQ for haloperidol were 156 and 515 microg/L, respectively. Linearity was observed in the studied range for all compounds with r(2) values of >0.999. The use of the mixed-mode bonded-silica Bond Elut Certify columns showed advantages comparing with Chem Elut columns for the screening of these psychotropic agents such as higher recoveries, cleaner extracts, better sensitivity, better precision and less solvent consumption and subsequent disposal.

Fatal intoxication due to dothiepin

An ingestion of an unknown quantity of Harmomed (dothiepin and diazepam) capsules in a suicide is described. The authors report a new and fast method of analysing and determining the dothiepin concentration in postmortem specimens. Quantitation of dothiepin, and its metabolite desmethyldothiepin was performed by ethyl acetate extraction from alkalinized body fluids before GC-MS analysis. The analyses were performed without any complex sample clean-up steps and with little sample material. Postmortem concentrations of dothiepin, desmethyldothiepin, diazepam and desmethyldiazepam in body fluids are given. The proposed method is a rapid procedure for analysis in cases of deliberate poisoning with the antidepressant drug dothiepin.

The effect of intravenous administration of WEB 2086 on PAF-induced platelet aggregation in healthy Friesian calves

The in vivo ability of the specific PAF-antagonist WEB 2086, a thienotriazolodiazepine, to inhibit platelet-activating factor (PAF) in cattle was investigated by in vitro determination of platelet aggregation curves. WEB 2086 was infused intravenously into a group of 5 healthy male Friesian calves in a dose of 3 mg/kg over 1 min. The resultant inhibition peaked between 30 min and 1 h after administration of WEB 2086. The inhibition was significantly reduced after 3 h and became non-significant after 6 h, but maximal pre-treatment aggregation had not been restored by 24 h after the injection of WEB 2086. These results confirm previous results obtained in vitro and suggest that WEB 2086 is a potent antagonist of PAF activity in calves. They also suggest that further clinical studies with WEB 2086 in cattle are desirable.

Determination of a cardiac antiarrhythmic, tricyclic antipsychotics and antidepressants in human and animal urine by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography using a bile salt

A micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatographic method based on the use of sodium taurodeoxycholate has been developed to detect and quantitate of 26 tricyclic drugs. Detection limits in urine down to 4 ng/ml have been obtained. The method uses a simple liquid-liquid extraction and recovery of analytes followed by ultraviolet detection.

Novel solid-phase extraction strategy for the isolation of basic drugs from whole blood. Preliminary study using commercially available extraction cartridges

A novel strategy for the solid-phase extraction of basic drugs has been developed using commercial extraction cartridges. The procedure involves the sequential application of very different isolation mechanisms, viz. hydrophobic extraction on non-porous carbon followed by ionic extraction on a strong cation exchanger. This approach to extraction achieves both high recoveries and clean extracts when analysed by GC-MS. The potential for automation has been demonstrated using commercial sample preparation equipment.

Simultaneous HPLC analysis of tricyclic antidepressants and metabolites in plasma samples

A sensitive, selective and rapid reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of imipramine, desipramine, amitriptyline and nortriptyline in human plasma. The procedure consisted of extracting the drugs and the internal standard (clomipramine) from 1 ml plasma with hexane:isoamyl alcohol (99:1, v/v) in alkaline medium. A newly marketed column, LiChrospher 60 RP-select B (dp 5 microns) of Merck was employed. The mobile phase, consisting of acetonitrile/0.25 N sodium acetate buffer at pH 5.5 (50:50, v/v), was delivered at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min, and detection at 254 nm. The precision, linearity and limit of quantification of the method were within acceptable limits. The method was considered adequate and has, therefore, been used in routine analysis for the therapeutic control of depressed patients.

Simultaneous determination of antidepressant drugs and metabolites by HPLC. Design and validation of a simple and reliable analytical procedure

An analytical procedure suitable for routine use has been developed and validated for the simultaneous separation and quantification of most of the antidepressant drugs (bicyclic, tricyclic and tetracyclic) and their metabolites in human serum by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The method has good sensitivity and specificity, without the need for long and complex extraction procedures. The results obtained with three different analytical columns were compared and an improvement in specificity by selection of column and detection wavelength used was achieved.

Selective system of identification and determination of antidepressants and neuroleptics in serum or plasma by solid-phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection in analytical toxicology

A selective off-line solid-phase isolation of antidepressants, neuroleptics and other structurally related basic drugs from plasma or serum prior to high-performance liquid chromatography was tested and optimized for general use in toxicological analyses where concomitant drugs can be encountered. The sequential elution preseparated drug mixtures and simplified the subsequent analytical steps. High isolation efficiencies of cyano-bonded silica cartridges from Baker for fifteen amine drugs were determined. Isocratic chromatography on octadecylsilica proved to be very suitable for broad practical applications in complicated cases. The identification of an unknown peak was supported by photodiode-array detection in the range 200-400 nm with a resolution of 2 nm. The linearity of the assay from therapeutic to toxic concentrations was attained. Sufficient sensitivities covering low therapeutic levels of parent drugs and their demethylated metabolites were reached. The system is flexible and allows various methods of quantitative assay to be devised according to the conditions of a particular case in clinical or forensic toxicology.

Application of a simple extraction procedure using aqueous ammonia to the analysis of basic drugs in blood by gas chromatography

A simple and reliable previously reported extraction procedure has been extended to the analysis of a wide range of basic and neutral drugs in postmortem blood and other tissues. The method employs 200 microliters of blood treated with water and ammonia and extracted with diethyl ether. The concentrated extract is generally sufficiently clean for direct analysis by gas chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography. Recovery, precision and linearity data are presented for selected drugs.