Analytical methodology for the detection of benzodiazepine consumption in opioid-dependent subjects

M. Segura, J. Barbosa, M. Torrens, M. Farré, C. Castillo, J. Segura, R. De La Torre

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearch

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Benzodiazepines are frequently abused by heroin users, but not all compounds have shown the same abuse liability. We developed an analytical method that was able to detect various benzodiazepine compounds in a single run. Enzymatically hydrolyzed urine underwent a liquid-liquid extraction procedure with chloroform/isopropanol (9:1) at pH 8-9 followed by a solid-liquid clean-up (Bond Elut TCA® C18) to obtain appropriate extracts for HPLC analysis. Mobile phase composition was optimized by means of the linear solvation energy relationship methodology based on Reichardt's normalized solvatochromic parameter (ETN). The method was validated for the simultaneous detection and quantitation of alprazolam, α-hydroxyalprazolam, oxazepam, 7-aminoflunitrazepam, flunitrazepam, nordiazepam, lorazepam, and diazepam. The prevalence of benzodiazepine consumption in 229 opioid-dependent subjects on methadonemaintenance treatment was 48%. Oxazepam and nordiazepam were the benzodiazepines most frequently racoved in urine samples. The prevalence of alprazolam use (40%) was higher than that of flunitrazepam (10%).
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)130-136
JournalJournal of Analytical Toxicology
Volume25
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2001

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Analytical methodology for the detection of benzodiazepine consumption in opioid-dependent subjects'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this