Analysis of 4‐fluoroamphetamine in cerumen after controlled oral application. Issue 7 (13th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meier, Sylvia I.; Petzel‐Witt, Silvana; Schubert‐Zsilavecz, Manfred; de Sousa Fernandes Perna, Elizabeth B.; Theunissen, Eef L.; Ramaekers, Johannes G.; Toennes, Stefan W.
• Is Part Of: Drug testing and analysis. Volume 12:Issue 7(2020)
• Page Start: 968
• Page End: 974
• Publication Date: 2020-04-13
• Subjects: 4‐fluoroamphetamine -- alternative matrices -- cerumen -- drug abstinence -- liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry; Drugs -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Drug testing -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; 615.1901
• DOI: 10.1002/dta.2796
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1942-7603

Abstract

Abstract: Cerumen was found to be a promising alternative specimen for the detection of drugs. In a pilot study, drugs of abuse were identified at a higher detection rate and a longer detection window in cerumen than in urine. In this study, cerumen from subjects was analyzed after they ingested the designer stimulant 4‐fluoroamphetamine (4‐FA) in a controlled manner. Methods: Twelve subjects ingested placebo and 100 mg of 4‐FA. Five of them were also given 150 mg of 4‐FA in 150 mL Royal Club bitter lemon drink at least after 7 days. Cerumen was sampled using cotton swabs at baseline, 1 h after the ingestion of the drug and at the end of the study day (12 h). After extraction with ethyl acetate followed by solid‐phase extraction, the extracts were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Results and discussion: In the cerumen of all 12 subjects, 4‐FA was detected 12 h after its ingestion; in most subjects, cerumen was detected after 1 h of ingestion, ranging from 0.06 to 13.90 (median 1.52) ng per swab. The detection of 4‐FA in cerumen sampled 7 days or more after the first dose suggested a long detection window of cerumen. Conclusions: Cerumen can be successfully used to detect a single drug ingestion even immediately after the ingestion when a sufficient amount of cerumen is used. Abstract : Cerumen is a promising alternative specimen for the detection of drugs. In this study, a single oral intake of 100 or 150 mg of 4‐fluoroamphetamine was confirmed in all 12 subjects. The detection of 4‐FA in cerumen sampled 7 days or more after the first dose supports a long detection window in that matrix. The drug detection in cerumen is mainly determined by the amount of cerumen sampled rather than the blood concentration.