title: A thin layer chromatographic method for high volume screening of urine for methylphenidate abuse.
abstract: A thin layer chromatographic (TLC) method for the high volume screening of urine for methylphenidate (Ritalin) abuse is presented. The method utilizes charcoal extraction of ritalinic acid from urine and a simple test-tube methylation step for the conversion of the ritalinic acid to methylphenidate. The methylphenidate is then subjected to a routine TLC drug procedure for subsequent qualitative identification.
mesh_terms: D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D008774:Methylphenidate; C009189:ritalinic acid