Rapid screening of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in urine samples using solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2005 Jul;382(6):1351-9. doi: 10.1007/s00216-005-3284-3. Epub 2005 Jun 29.

Abstract

In this paper a solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) method is proposed for a rapid analysis of some frequently prescribed selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI)-venlafaxine, fluvoxamine, mirtazapine, fluoxetine, citalopram, and sertraline-in urine samples. The SPME-based method enables simultaneous determination of the target SSRI after simple in-situ derivatization of some of the target compounds. Calibration curves in water and in urine were validated and statistically compared. This revealed the absence of matrix effect and, in consequence, the possibility of quantifying SSRI in urine samples by external water calibration. Intra-day and inter-day precision was satisfactory for all the target compounds (relative standard deviation, RSD, <14%) and the detection limits achieved were <0.4 ng mL(-1) urine. The time required for the SPME step and for GC analysis (30 min each) enables high throughput. The method was applied to real urine samples from different patients being treated with some of these pharmaceuticals. Some SSRI metabolites were also detected and tentatively identified.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / urine*
  • Citalopram / urine
  • Cyclohexanols / urine
  • Fluoxetine / urine
  • Fluvoxamine / urine
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Humans
  • Mianserin / analogs & derivatives
  • Mianserin / urine
  • Mirtazapine
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / urine*
  • Sertraline / urine
  • Solid Phase Microextraction / methods*
  • Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
  • Cyclohexanols
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fluoxetine
  • Citalopram
  • Mianserin
  • Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
  • Mirtazapine
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Sertraline