Quantification of Phencyclidine (PCP) in Urine, Serum, or Plasma by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

Abstract

Phencyclidine (PCP), a dissociative anesthetic, is a commonly abused recreational drug. In the 1950s, initially tested as an intravenous anesthetic, PCP was discontinued for clinical use due to its severe adverse effects. Since then, it has gained popularity as a recreational drug due to its ability to induce hallucinations and alter perception. PCP can be detected in urine, serum, or plasma by immunoassays and quantified and its presence confirmed by gas or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. In the method described here, a deuterated internal standard is added to the sample and the drug is extracted under alkaline conditions. Analysis is conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Selected ion monitoring is used for quantitation of PCP.

Keywords: Drugs of abuse; Gas chromatography; Mass spectrometry; PCP; Phencyclidine.