title: Comparison of HPLC and GC-MS methods for determination of embutramide (a component of Tanax or T-61) in biological specimens.
abstract: Tanax or T-61, a euthanasia solution commonly used in veterinary medicine, has been often involved in suicide attempts (humans) and malicious intoxications (animals). For forensic reasons, the identification of one or more of the three components (embutramide, mebenzonium iodide, and tetracaine hydrochloride) of Tanax is needed to confirm the hypothesis of intoxication. This study was performed with new high-performance liquid chromatographic and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric methods to identify embutramide in biological matrices (blood, liver, kidney) from different animal species. The good sensitivity and specificity of both methods recommend their use in toxicological analysis in both human and veterinary medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinics, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giorgi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bertini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Soldani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giusiani
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D004338:Drug Combinations; D028601:Euthanasia, Active / Q000662:veterinary; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D006736:Horses; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012756:Sheep; D013045:Species Specificity; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine; D013748:Tetracaine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000777:Anesthetics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D013748:Tetracaine; C059324:embutramide; C015591:T 61