Naresh C. Jain

Thin-layer chromatographic screening and confirmation of basic drugs of abuse in urine

Thin-layer chromatographic procedures are presented for the positive identification of methodone, primary metabolite of methodone (2-ethylidine-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine), propoxyphene, norpropoxyphene, cocaine, benzoylecgonine, methoqualone, and phencyclidine from urine specimens. Initial screening of specimens is done by developing plates in ethyl acetate-methanol-diethylamine (90:10:1.6). Samples screened positive are confirmed in methylene chloride-methyl ethyl ketone-concentrated ammonium hydroxide (74:25:0.8), depending on the drug(s) indicated by the screening procedure. The method is quite sensitive, detecting most of the listed drugs at levels of 1.0 mug/ml or less.

Frequency of Use or Abuse of Amphetamine-Related Drugs

A survey was done on over 10,000 urine samples from the Los Angeles County Probation Department and methadone maintenance programs to determine the frequency of use of eight sympathomimetic amine drugs including amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, mephentermine, phendimetrazine, beta-phenethylamine, phenmetrazine, and phentermine. As expected, the frequency of use of amphetamine was relatively high followed by phentermine, ephedrine, and methamphetamine. The extensive use of ephedrine and phentermine may warrant testing for these drugs on a more routine basis in drug monitoring programs.

Mass Screening and Confirmation of Barbiturates in Urine by RIA/Gas Chromatography

A rapid, sensitive and specific procedure is described for the mass screening and confirmation of barbiturates in urine specimens. The method is sensitive to 0.5 mug/ml levels of the commonly used barbiturates. The urine samples are screened by radioimmuno-assay. Specimens screened positive are confirmed by gas-liquid chromatography using a flame ionization detector. The barbiturates are analyzed as free acids on a 10% UC W-98 column and as their dimethyl derivatives on a 3% OV-17 column. This dual approach eliminates false positives caused by interfering substances which may be present in the urine, thus resulting in a method specific for the barbiturates.

Rapid mass screening and confirmation of urinary amphetamine and methamphetamine by gas chromatography.

A rapid and simple procedure is described for the mass screening and confirmation of amphetamine and methamphetamine in urine using gas chromatography with flame ionization detector. The amphetamine drugs are screened as free drugs on a 10% Apiezon L-10% KOH column and confirmed as their trifluoroacetamide derivatives on a 3% OV-17 column. This dual approach eliminates false positives and interfering substances that may be present in the urine and is, therefore, specific for amphetamine and methamphetamine.

Thin-layer chromatographic separation of methadone and its primary metabolite in the presence of other drugs in urine specimens.

Three solvent systems for thin-layer chromatography have been developed for methadone and its primary metabolite (2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine). These solvent systems separate methadone and its primary metabolite, and are not interfered by other drugs of abuse in urine specimens.

A Survey of Drug Use among Probationurs in the Los Angeles Area in 1976

The results are presented from the analysis of 10,000 urine specimens from Los Angeles County probationers in early 1976 for the following drugs: amphetamine, methamphetamine, allylbarbital, amobarbital, butabarbital, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital, morphine, codeine, methadone, primary metabolite of methadone, cocaine, benzoylecgonine, propoxyphene, norpropoxyphene, methaqualone, and phencyclidine. Over 27% of the urine samples analyzed were positive for at least one drug. Opiates were found to be the most widely used drugs, but multiple drug use was also quite common.

Fluorescence And Alternative Methods In Urine Drug Testing

Drug abuse has become-one of the most compelling realities _ ot contemporary society. It has penetrated every segment ot our population: trom schools to sports and trom organized crime to board rooms . Drugs in tie w9rkplace allegedly cost government agencies and business millions ot dollars each year in increased absenteeism,. poor work performance, thefts,accidents andwastedtime. The Presidents Commission on Organized Crime and the federal government are in tavor ot urine drug testing. In fact many employers are now resorting to urine drug testing on current and prospective employees. This presep.tation discusses different laboratory methods used in urine drug.testing, including immunoassays, fluorescence polarization, thin layer chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry.