TIAFT Young Scientists "Workshop 2001"

Detection of Fluoxetine and Norfluoxetine in Saliva

Fiona M. Wylie and John S. Oliver

Department of Forensic Medicine & Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland U.K.

Fluoxetine and norfluoxetine were identified in the saliva of patients receiving treatment for depression. A method was developed and validated to detect fluoxetine and its metabolite in this biological specimen. Saliva samples were collected with Omni-Sal® devices and the analytes were extracted using solid phase extraction. Internal standard, tumoxetine was added to the samples which were then diluted with phosphate buffer and applied to preconditioned cyanopropyl columns. Various wash steps were carried out followed by elution with dichloromethane/isopropanol (8:2) containing 2% concentrated ammonia. Samples were derivatized with heptafluorobutyric anhydride and detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using selective ion monitoring. Recoveries greater than 86% were achieved for both analytes over a linear range of 0-100 ng/ml saliva. The limit of detection was 1 ng/ml.

Eight saliva case samples were analyzed and concentrations in the range of 22.1-223.2 ng/ml (mean 72.0 ng/ml) were obtained for fluoxetine and 33.2-143.3 ng/ml (mean 74.8 ng/ml) for norfluoxetine. Six of these eight samples gave higher concentrations for the metabolite than the parent drug.

Corresponding blood and saliva samples for three patients were analyzed and saliva/plasma ratios within the limits of theoretical values were achieved.

The methods easily detected both fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in all of the saliva samples tested.

ABSTRACTS

• Pitfalls associated with the use of a simple sample preparation in the analysis of saliva with LC-ESI-MS/MS.
  K.A. Mortier, K.M. Clauwaert, W.E. Lambert, J.F. Van Bocxlaer, E.G. Van den Eeckhout, C.H. Van Peteghem, and A.P. De Leenheer
   
  
• Oral Fluid Testing in Road Traffic - The German Experience within the ROSITA Project
  S. Steinmeyer, H. Ohr, and M. R. Moeller
   
  
• The use of oral fluid and sweat wipes for the detection of drugs of abuse in impaired drivers
  Nele Samyn, Bart Viaene, Bart Laeremans, Gert De Boeck
   
  
• Detection of Fluoxetine and Norfluoxetine in Saliva
  Fiona M. Wylie and John S. Oliver
   
  
• Measurement of Amphetamines in Biological Samples by LC-MS/MS
  Michelle Wood, Michael Morris, Donald P Cooper
   
  
• Immunochromatographic teststrips for saliva analysis
  Jörg Zimmermann1, Nele Samyn, Maria da Costa, Thomas Wuske, Rainer Polzius, Hans-Jürgen Duchstein1
   
  
• Determination of MDMA ('Ecstasy') in saliva: a controlled study in recreational users
  Monica Navarro, Magi Farré, Simona Pichini, Jordi Ortuño, Pere Nolasc Roset, Ester Menoyo, Jordi Segura, Rafael de la Torre
   
  
• Determination of MDMA ('Ecstasy') in saliva with Drugwipe analytical device: a controlled study in recreational users
  Monica Navarro, Magi Farré, Simona Pichini, Piergiorgio Zuccaro, Roberta Pacifici, Jordi Ortuño, Pere Nolasc Roset, Ester Menoyo, Jordi Segura, Rafael de la Torre
   
  
• Elimination kinetics of oral nandrolone in urine and saliva
  V. Cirimele, P. Kintz B. Ludes
   
  
• Determination of Cocaine and its Metabolites in Saliva by GC/MS-EI
  P. Campora O.; A.M. Bermejo B.; M.J. Tabernero and P. Fernandez.
   
  
• The Finnish experience from the ROSITA project
  Marielle Grönholm and Pirjo Lillsunde