A Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Method to Determine Tramadol Abuse Using Urine Samples

Abstract

Background

The synthetic opioid tramadol is widely used as a pain reliever. Unlike other opioids, it is used freely worldwide, unaffected by international controls resulting in abuse and accidental intoxication. Analytical methods are necessary to prove tramadol abuse because 30% of the drug is excreted unchanged.

Methodology

This study describes a sensitive, precise, and accurate gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method for tramadol quantification in biological samples using solid-phase extraction (SPE) for sample preparation.

Results

A total of 747 samples were analyzed for suspected tramadol abuse; 15% of samples were above cut-off with a mean of 341.0 ± 215 ng/mL. No interference from other substances was detected. Calibration was linear over the concentration range of 50-1,000 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient of >0.998. Recovery was 92.5% and precision was ≤5% (range = 2.68-5.58%).

Conclusions

The effectiveness of the SPE in assessing tramadol abuse was assessed with GC-MS. With good recovery, quick analysis times, simplicity, little matrix effect, and effectiveness, this method is regarded as novel and is capable of identifying abuse.