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Detection of anticonvulsants and their metabolites in urine within a “general unknown” analysis procedure using computerized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

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Abstract

Detection of the anticonvulsants carbamazepine, clonazepam, diazepam, ethosuximide, mephenytoin, mesuximide, methylphenobarbital, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, propylhexedrine, sultiame, trimethadion and their metabolites in urine is described. The method presented is integrated in a general screening procedure (general unknown analysis) for several groups of drugs, detecting several hundred drugs and over 1000 metabolites. It includes cleavage of conjugates by acid hydrolysis, isolation by liquid-liquid extraction, derivatization by acetylation, separation by capillary gas chromatography and identification by computerized mass spectrometry. Using mass chromatography with the selective ions m/z 58, 104, 113, 117, 165, 193, 204 and 246, the possible presence of anticonvulsants and/or their metabolites was indicated. The identity of positive signals in the reconstructed mass chromatograms was confirmed by a visual or computerized comparison of the stored full mass spectra with the reference spectra. The sample preparation, mass chromatograms, reference mass spectra and gas chromatographic retention indices are documented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie der Universität des Saarlandes, W-6650, Homburg, Saar, Germany

    Hans H. Maurer

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  1. Hans H. Maurer
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Additional information

Part of these results was reported at the 1st German-German Symposium of theGesellschaft für Toxikologische und Forensische Chemie (GTFCh) and theArbeitsgemeinschaft Toxikologische Chemie der DDR, Leipzig (GDR), July 3–5, 1990 (Maurer 1990d).

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Maurer, H.H. Detection of anticonvulsants and their metabolites in urine within a “general unknown” analysis procedure using computerized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Arch Toxicol 64, 554–561 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01971834

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01971834

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