title: Detection of anticonvulsants and their metabolites in urine within a "general unknown" analysis procedure using computerized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
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 anti-convulsants 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.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saar, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Maurer
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000652:urine*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000652:urine; D003199:Computer Systems; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D013696:Temperature; D013843:Thiazines / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D013843:Thiazines; D002220:Carbamazepine