A rapid and reliable method for the quantitation of tricyclic antidepressants in serum using HPLC-MS/MS.
OBJECTIVE
Here we describe a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the detection of tricyclic antidepressant drugs (amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, and nortriptyline) in serum.


METHODS
Following a protein precipitation from serum and dilution of supernatant with water, these analytes and their internal standards (deuterated versions of each drug) were injected, separated, and eluted from a Hypersil Gold C-18 (50x2.1 mm) analytical column with a gradient of water and acetonitrile each with 0.1% formic acid. Analytes were then ionized and detected over a 3.5 minute analysis time by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring. Matrix effects were characterized using three methods: post-column infusion, pre- and post-extraction addition of analyte to matrix, and comparison of neet to serum preparations.


RESULTS
The inter-day and intra-day coefficients of variation for all compounds were < or =12%. The limit of detection for all drugs was <15 ng/mL and the limit quantitation for all drugs was <22 ng/mL. Recoveries were between 97 and 131% for all drugs. Patient method comparison and proficiency samples were run with acceptable results.


CONCLUSIONS
We have developed a specific and sensitive method for rapid quantitation of tricyclic antidepressants in serum, suitable for use in the clinical laboratory.
Breaud
Autumn R
AR
The Johns Hopkins University Department of Pathology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Harlan
Robert
R
Kozak
Marta
M
Clarke
William
W
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000097:blood*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic