Direct Analysis of Conjugate Metabolites of Methamphetamine, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and Their Designer Drugs in Biological Fluids

Abstract

This review summarizes technical improvements in the forensic analysis for conjugate metabolites of methamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and their designer drugs. The improvements include the establishments of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) in combination with the pretreatment methods. The direct determination techniques for the conjugates proved to be effective in rapidly and accurately examining many biological specimens without annoying hydrolysis. The metabolism of MA and MDMA, with attention to the phase II metabolism of the major hydroxy metabolites, is also discussed based on concentration data in biological specimens obtained from drug abusers.