title: A sensitive immunoassay for flunitrazepam and metabolites.
abstract: The objective of this study was to develop an immunoassay that would be capable of detecting flunitrazepam and/or cross-reacting metabolites in urine and comparing the results with those obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Doses of Rohypnol varying between 0.5 and 4 mg were given to volunteers, and urine was collected for up to two weeks postingestion. These samples were analyzed by an ELISA that was developed using an antibody raised to flunitrazepam and a drug-enzyme conjugate prepared by attaching 7-aminoflunitrazepam to horseradish peroxidase. Significant levels of flunitrazepam and/or cross-reacting metabolites were detected in urine for up to one week after ingestion. The immunoassay is selective with only diazepam cross-reacting at a level of 1000 microg/L.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University College, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Walshe
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: McNamara
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Shattock
mesh_terms: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000652:urine*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D005445:Flunitrazepam; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase