Analysis of Fentanyl and Designer Fentanyl Derivatives in Urine Using SPE and HPLC–MS/MS

Presented is a rapid, three step SPE procedure, that includes a concentration step, for the identification and quantification of fentanyl and its major urinary metabolite norfentanyl, along with 11 additional synthetic opioid compounds: acryl fentanyl, desmethyl U-47700, furanyl fentanyl, methoxyacetyl fentanyl, remifentanil, tetrahydrofuran fentanyl, U-47700, U-50488, U-51754, W-15, and W-18.

Procedure

Instrumental

Results

Conclusion

A fast and effective method was developed for the determination of fentanyl and other synthethic opiate compounds in urine samples. All analytes of interest were extracted using a Clean Screen XCEL® I column. Analysis of the samples was performed by LC–MS/MS utilizing a Selectra® PFPP HPLC column which allowed for improved separation of furanyl fentanyl and fentanyl, when compared to other column phases. Absolute recoveries ranged from 75–100% for all three control levels tested. With the unfortunate (and often unaware) abuse of synthetic opiates throughout the United States, it is critical that forensic laboratories have accurate and rapid SPE methods for the identification of this class of compounds. The proceeding method will be of great use as drugs with similar structures start to be found in future casework.

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