Publication
Title
Quantification of 54 benzodiazepines and Z-drugs, including 20 designer ones, in plasma
Author
Abstract
Benzodiazepines are widely used in the treatment of sleep and anxiety disorders, as well as epileptic seizures and alcohol withdrawal because of their broad therapeutic index and low cost. Due to their central nervous system depressant effects they are also often implicated in traffic accidents and drug-related intoxications. With an increasing number of designer benzodiazepines used in a recreational setting, there is a need for analytical methods to be able to quantify both the prescribed and designer benzodiazepines. A liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method was developed for the quantification of 34 prescribed and 20 designer benzodiazepines in plasma. Different sample preparation strategies, including protein precipitation, liquid–liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction and mini-QuEChERS, were tested. The best recoveries for all compounds of interest were obtained with a liquid–liquid extraction using methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether and 500 μL plasma. The method was fully validated according to the European Medicines Agency guidelines for all compounds, except pivoxazepam, which is included for qualitative purposes only. In-sample stability issues were observed for cloxazolam, both at ambient temperature and during long-term storage at −20°C. Due to the large number of compounds included, the simple and time-efficient sample preparation and the relatively inexpensive instrumentation used, the presented method can be readily implemented in both therapeutic drug monitoring and forensic analyses.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of analytical toxicology / Society of Forensic Toxicologists [Mesa, Ariz.] - Niles, Ill., 1977, currens
Publication
Niles, Ill. : Preston Publications , 2021
ISSN
0146-4760 [print]
1945-2403 [online]
DOI
10.1093/JAT/BKAA059
Volume/pages
45 :2 (2021) , p. 141-153
Article Reference
bkaa059
ISI
000650099000007
Pubmed ID
32507898
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
The rise and threat of new psychoactive substances: integrated research to obtain evidence-based information on their properties and actual use.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 25.08.2020
Last edited 13.11.2024
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