Citation

Logan BK, Friel PN, Case GA. J. Anal. Toxicol. 1994; 18(3): 139-142.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Preston Publications)

DOI

10.1093/jat/18.3.139

PMID

8065122

Abstract

We report methods for the analysis of sertraline and desmethylsertraline in postmortem biological fluids. The extraction method is based on a widely used procedure employing n-butyl chloride, and instrumental analysis is performed using GC/MS and HPLC with photodiode array detection. We report retention index, mass spectral, and UV-vis properties of the drug and its metabolite. Samples from three sertraline-related deaths were analyzed and revealed concentrations up to 10 times greater than the normal therapeutic levels, although two of the deaths were obviously the result of other causes. We also noted in one case that the drug concentrations in central and peripheral blood were very similar, suggesting that postmortem distribution may be uniform.

Language: en

Keywords

1-Naphthylamine; Adult; Aged; Chromatography, Gas; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Male; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Sertraline; Suicide