A Comparative Solid-Phase Extraction Study for the Simultaneous Determination of Fluoxetine, Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, Trimipramine, Maprotiline, Clomipramine, and Trazodone in Whole Blood by Capillary Gas--Liquid Chromatography with Nitrogen-Phosphorus Detection

A green protocol for the electrochemical synthesis of a fluorescent dye with antibacterial activity from imipramine oxidation

Electrochemical oxidation of imipramine (IMP) has been studied in aqueous solutions by cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry techniques. Our voltammetric results show a complex behavior for oxidation of IMP at different pH values. In this study, we focused our attention on the electrochemical oxidation of IMP at a pH of about 5. Under these conditions, our results show that the oxidation of IMP leads to the formation of a unique dimer of IMP (DIMP). The structure of synthesized dimer is fully characterized by UV-visible, FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectrometry techniques. It seems that the first step in the oxidation of IMP is the cleavage of the alkyl group (formation of IMPH). After this, a domino oxidation-hydroxylation-dimerization-oxidation reaction, converts IMPH to (E)-10,10',11,11'-tetrahydro-[2,2'-bidibenzo[b,f]azepinylidene]-1,1'(5H,5'H)-dione (DIMP). The synthesis of DIMP is performed in an aqueous solution under mild conditions, without the need for any catalyst or oxidant. Based on our electrochemical findings as well as the identification of the final product, a possible reaction mechanism for IMP oxidation has been proposed. Conjugated double bonds in the DIMP structure cause the compound to become colored with sufficient fluorescence activity (excitation wave-length 535 nm and emission wave-length 625 nm). Moreover, DIMP has been evaluated for in vitro antibacterial. The antibacterial tests indicated that DIMP showed good antibacterial performance against all examined gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Shigella sonnei).

Organ-specific bioaccumulation of PCBs and PAHs in African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from the Hartbeespoort Dam, South Africa

The distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the muscle, liver, spleen and kidney tissue of two fish species was studied using an optimised diatomaceous earth assisted modified QuEChERS extraction method. Five-year-old free-ranging male African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and 5-year-old male common carp (Cyprinus carpio) sampled from the Hartbeespoort Dam in South Africa were used for method development. Acetonitrile extraction produced more precise recoveries than hexane extraction. Fluorene and naphthalene were the most abundant PAHs detected in the majority of fish tissues analysed. PAH bioaccumulation in 5-year-old carp and 5-year-old catfish was in the order muscle > kidney > liver > spleen and liver > muscle > kidney > spleen, respectively. PCBs were mostly detected in carp spleen and kidney. Two-year-old carp were analysed to determine PCB and PAH bioaccumulation trends. The differences in ∑16PAH concentrations between the four organs tested were all statistically insignificant for the 3 fish tested (p > 0.05). All other organs with the exception of 5-year-old carp spleen and 5-year-old carp kidney recorded total 31 PCB concentrations (∑31PCB) < 25 ng g^-1. Only 5-year-old carp spleen (∑31PCB of 592 ng g^-1) and 5-year-old carp kidney (∑31PCB of 561 ng g^-1) had significant differences (p < 0.05) from the spleen and kidney in 5-year-old catfish and 2-year-old carp. Whilst the carp and catfish sampled can be considered low PCB risk foods, 5-year-old carp muscle can be considered to be a high PAH risk food, with a benzo(a)pyrene concentration of 7 μg g^-1, based on the EU Commission Regulation 2005/208/EC pertaining to the maximum permissible benzo(a)pyrene level in fresh fish muscle.

Applications of Gas Chromatography for the Analysis of Tricyclic Antidepressants in Biological Matrices

Tricyclic antidepressant drugs (TCAs) are a main category of antidepressants, which are until today widely used for the treatment of psychological disorders due to their low cost and their high efficiency. Therefore, there is a great demand for method development for the determination of TCAs in biofluids, especially for therapeutic drug monitoring. Gas chromatography (GC) was the first chromatographic technique implemented for this purpose. With the recent development in the field of sample preparation, many novel GC applications have been developed. Herein, we aim to report the recent application of GC for the determination of tricyclic antidepressants in biofluids. Emphasis is given to novel extraction techniques and novel materials used for sample preparation.

Effects of anti-inflammatory drugs on the expression of tryptophan-metabolism genes by human macrophages

Several lines of evidence link macrophage activation and inflammation with (monoaminergic) nervous systems in the etiology of depression. IFN treatment is associated with depressive symptoms, whereas anti‐TNFα therapies elicit positive mood. This study describes the actions of 2 monoaminergic antidepressants (escitalopram, nortriptyline) and 3 anti‐inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, prednisolone, and anti‐TNFα antibody) on the response of human monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDMs) from 6 individuals to LPS or IFN‐α. Expression profiling revealed robust changes in the MDM transcriptome (3294 genes at P < 0.001) following LPS challenge, whereas a more limited subset of genes (499) responded to IFNα. Contrary to published reports, administered at nontoxic doses, neither monoaminergic antidepressant significantly modulated the transcriptional response to either inflammatory challenge. Each anti‐inflammatory drug had a distinct impact on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and on the profile of inducible gene expression—notably on the regulation of enzymes involved in metabolism of tryptophan. Inter alia, the effect of anti‐TNFα antibody confirmed a predicted autocrine stimulatory loop in human macrophages. The transcriptional changes were predictive of tryptophan availability and kynurenine synthesis, as analyzed by targeted metabolomic studies on cellular supernatants. We suggest that inflammatory processes in the brain or periphery could impact on depression by altering the availability of tryptophan for serotonin synthesis and/or by increasing production of neurotoxic kynurenine.

Mechanistic study of in vitro chemical interaction of trimipramine drug with barbituric derivative after its oxidation: Electrochemical synthesis of new dibenzazepine derivative

Electrochemical oxidation of trimipramine in the absence and presence of 1,3 dimethyl barbituric acid as a nucleophile in aqueous solution has been studied using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry electrolysis. Voltammetric studies of electro-oxidation of trimipramine were realized in a range of pH1.0 to 8.0 in the absence and presence of 1,3 dimethyl barbituric acid. Based on the obtained electrochemical results, dimerization is the main reaction of electro-oxidation of trimipramine in the absence of nucleophile. The voltammetric data indicate that the 1,3 dimethyl barbituric acid participation in Michael addition reaction with the oxidized dimeric form of trimipramine via an ECEC electrochemical mechanisms. On the other hand the results indicate existence of a catalytic (EC') electrochemical mechanism in parallel with ECEC electrochemical mechanism. This method provides a facile and one-pot procedure for the synthesis of new dibenzazepine derivative. Finally, a possible mechanism is proposed for the electrode process, on the basis of the present and previous investigations. The product has been characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³CNMR and MS methods.

High performance liquid chromatographic determination of ultra traces of two tricyclic antidepressant drugs imipramine and trimipramine in urine samples after their dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with response surface optimization

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography by ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) as a fast and inexpensive technique was applied to the determination of imipramine and trimipramine in urine samples. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for multivariate optimization of the effects of seven different parameters influencing the extraction efficiency of the proposed method. Under optimized experimental conditions, the enrichment factors and extraction recoveries were between 161.7-186.7 and 97-112%, respectively. The linear range and limit of detection for both analytes found to be 5-100ng mL(-1) and 0.6ng mL(-1), respectively. The relative standard deviations for 5ng mL(-1) of the drugs in urine samples were in the range of 5.1-6.1 (n=5). The developed method was successfully applied to real urine sample analyses.

A novel chiral GC/MS method for the analysis of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine enantiomers in biological fluids

Aims:

A novel robust chiral gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) method for the separation and measurement of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine enantiomers in urine and plasma was developed.

Materials and Methods:

The drug was extracted from the samples by a liquid–liquid technique, using chloroform, and the enantiomers were separated and measured on a chiral gas chromatographic column (HYDRODEX β-6TBDM^®, 0.25 μm × 0.25 mm × 50 m). GC/MS instrumentation was used for the acquisition of data in the electron impact selective-ion monitoring mode.

Results:

The ions chosen were of a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) exactly equal to 44 units, in order to measure fluoxetine enantiomers, 134 units in order to measure norfluoxetine enantiomers, and 58 units in order to measure diphenhydramine, the internal standard. The method was found to be linear and reproducible in the 50–500 ng/mL concentration range for both urine samples and plasma samples and for both fluoxetine and norfluoxetine, with correlation coefficients ranging between 0.994 and 0.997.

Conclusions:

This methodology has an enormous potential for application in pharmacokinetic studies of the enantiomers of fluoxetine

Application of microextraction by packed sorbent to isolation of psychotropic drugs from human serum

A method of microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) followed by liquid chromatography with diode array detection has been developed and optimized for the extraction of six tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine, desipramine, doxepin, nordoxepin) from human serum. The optimal parameters of MEPS extraction (type of sorbent, volume of sample, composition, and volume of washing and elution solutions) for these drugs in spiked samples were defined. The developed MEPS procedure was validated and then successfully applied to the analysis of serum reference material. The limit of detection (0.02-0.05 μg/mL), intraday (2.7-8.8%) and interday (4.4-11.6%) precision (RSD), and the accuracy of the assay (94.5-108.8%) at three concentration levels-0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 μg/mL-were estimated. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by the analysis of certified reference material. Moreover, the validated procedure was compared with the solid-phase extraction technique. Finally, microextraction by packed sorbent was assessed as a suitable tool in forensic and clinical methods for serum sample preparations.

Bio-sample preparation and analytical methods for the determination of tricyclic antidepressants

An extended and comprehensive review is presented herein, focusing on sample preparation (pretreatment and extraction) and different analytical methods applied for the quantification of tricyclic antidepressants. These procedures are relevant tools in clinical and forensic toxicology. It is revealed that SPE, for sample preparation, and HPLC, using reversed-phase alkyl (C18) or cyanopropyl-bonded silica columns for the analytes separation, are effective and versatile methods for assay of tricyclic antidepressants. These methods enable achievable detection limits using UV/diode array detection, readily available in most laboratories, down to 1–8 ng ml-1, and using electron capture detection better than 1 ng ml-1, which is lower than that for nitrogen–phosphorus detector. MS interfaced with electrospray ionization offered similar sensitivity, whilst sonic spray ionization provided detection down to 0.03 ng ml-1. A brief discussion on chemical structures, metabolism and mechanism of action of this group of drugs is also presented.

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric behavior of nortriptyline hydrochloride and its determination in surfactant media

The effect of adding surface active agents to electrolytes containing nortriptyline hydrochloride on the voltammetric response of a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) was studied. The current signal due to the reduction process was a function of the amount of nortriptyline hydrochloride, pH of the medium, type of the surfactant, and accumulation time at the electrode surface. Addition of Tween-20 to the nortriptyline hydrochloride containing electrolyte enhances the reduction current signal. Voltammograms of the drug with Tween-20 in Britton Robinson buffers of pH 2-11 exhibit a single well-defined reduction peak, which may be due to the reduction of -C horizontal lineC group. The reduction process was irreversible over the entire pH range, and the mechanism of reduction was postulated on the basis of controlled potential electrolysis and coulometry. Application of Tween-20 in the electrochemical determination of nortriptyline hydrochloride using square-wave voltammetry at the HMDE enhanced the detection limit of the analyte concentration from 8.24 ng/mL in the absence of surfactant to 0.92 ng/mL when present.

Rapid HPLC method for the simultaneous monitoring of duloxetine, venlaflaxine, fluoxetine and paroxetine in biofluids

A simple and rapid HPLC method is developed for the determination of two serotonin–norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (duloxetine and venlaflaxine) and two selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (fluoxetine and paroxetine) in human biofluids. Separation was performed on an Inertsil ODS-3 column (250 x 4.0 mm, 5 µm) with acetonitrile–ammonium acetate (0.05 M, 41:59 v/v) at 235 nm, within 7 min. SPE on Oasis® HLB cartridges was applied for the isolation of analytes from biofluids. The developed methodology was validated in terms of sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, stability and selectivity. Relative standard deviation was less than 10.4%. Limit of detection was 0.2–0.6 ng/µl in blood plasma and 0.1–0.8 ng/µl in urine. The method was successfully applied to biofluids from a patient under duloxetine treatment.

Modern bioanalytical methods for the rapid detection of antidepressants: SNRIs and SSRIs in human biological samples

Serotonin–norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) belong to a new generation of antidepressants used in the treatment of depression and other mood disorders. SSRIs act as reuptake inhibitors primarily via the inhibition of the neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) in the CNS. SNRIs have additional inhibitory activity at noradrenaline-reuptake sites. Different analytical methods for the routine monitoring and toxicological screening of SNRIs and SSRIs have been developed. Rapid quantification is a necessity for clinical use, allowing the possibility of diagnostics. This review focuses on recent advances of the methods that concern the determination of SSRIs and SNRIs in human biological samples. Sample preparation methodologies are discussed, because sample pretreatment is the most limiting and crucial step in analysis of biological matrices. Furthermore, information concerning the mechanism of action, side effects and toxicity are also given.

On-line sample stacking and short-end injection CE for the determination of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in plasma: Method development and validation using experimental designs

A short-end injection CE method combining field-amplified sample stacking (FASS) is presented for the analysis of fluoxetine (FL) and norfluoxetine in plasma. In this study, FASS enhanced the sensitivity about 1100-fold, while short-end injection reduced the analysis time to less than 4 min. Parameters involved in the separations were investigated using a central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology to optimize the separation conditions in a total of only 32 runs. Samples injected into the capillary for 99.9 s at a voltage of -5 kV were stacked in a water plug (0.5 psi, 9 s). Baseline resolution of FL and its major metabolite was achieved using a BGE formulation consisting of phosphate-triethanolamine at low pH, and a separation voltage of -10 kV. Five percent methanol was added as organic modifier to enhance selectivity and resolution. The linear range was between 10 and 500 ng/mL (r >0.9946), covering the expected plasma therapeutic ranges. The LOD in plasma were 4 ng/mL (S/N = 3), a value comparable to that obtained using LC-MS, showing the success of the on-line stacking technique. Our method was also successfully validated in quantification and pharmacokinetic studies with three volunteer plasma samples and could be applied to pharmacogenetic studies.

Reliable HPLC method for therapeutic drug monitoring of frequently prescribed tricyclic and nontricyclic antidepressants

A new high-performance liquid chromatography method is presented for the determination of 10 frequently prescribed tricyclic and nontricyclic antidepressants: imipramine, amitriptyline, clomipramine, fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram, mirtazapine, moclobemide and duloxetine. The simple and accurate sample preparation step, consisted of liquid:liquid extraction with recoveries ranging between 72% and 86%, except for moclobemide (59%). Separation was obtained using a reverse phase Select B column under isocratic conditions with UV detection (230 nm). The mobile phase consisted of 35% of a mixture of acetonitrile/methanol (92:8, v/v) and 65% of 0.25 mol L(-1) sodium acetate buffer, pH 4.5. The standard curves were linear over a working range of 2.5-1000 ng mL(-1) for moclobemide, 5-2000 ng mL(-1) for citalopram, duloxetine, fluoxetine, 10-2000 ng mL(-1) for sertraline, imipramine, paroxetine, mirtazapine and clomipramine. The intra-assay and inter-assay precision and accuracy were studied at three concentrations (50, 200, and 500 ng mL(-1)). The intra-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) for all compounds were less than 8.8%, and all inter-CVs were less than 10%. Limits of quantification were 2.5 ng mL(-1) for moclobemide, 5 ng mL(-1) for citalopram, duloxetine and amitriptyline, and 10 ng mL(-1) for mirtazapine, paroxetine, imipramine, fluoxetine, sertraline, and clomipramine. No interference of the drugs normally associated with antidepressants was observed. The method has been successfully applied to the analysis of real samples, for the drug monitoring of ten frequently prescribed tricyclic and non-tricyclic antidepressant drugs.

Determination of trazodone in urine and pharmaceuticals using micellar liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A simple and reliable liquid chromatographic procedure is described for the determination of trazodone in pharmaceutical formulations and urine samples. The optimized procedure uses fluorimetric detection, a C18 column and a micellar mobile phase of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 1-butanol. The mobile phase selected for use was 0.2M SDS and 8% 1-butanol fixed at pH 3 with phosphate buffer. The total analysis time was 10 min. For the analysis of urine samples, one great advantage of the method is that no extraction step is required. The quantification limit was 9.5 ng mL(-1), ensuring the analysis of the drug in biological fluids. The procedure shows good accuracy, repeatability and selectivity. Repeatability and intermediate precision were tested for several concentrations of the drug. Good claim percentages were obtained in the analysis of pharmaceutical formulations. Calibration repeatability in urine matrix was also studied in the 0.06-22.4 microg mL(-1) range. Good recoveries were obtained from spiked urine samples. No interferences from common additives frequently administered with trazodone or from endogenous compounds in urine samples were found. The results show that the procedure is suitable for routine analysis of the drug.

Famprofazone as the Source of Methamphetamine and Amphetamine in Urine Specimen Collected During Sport Competition

During a sport competition event in Taiwan, one urine specimen was found positive for both methamphetamine (2688 ng/mL) and amphetamine (462 ng/mL). The specimen donor claimed that she had taken Gewolen (a nonprescription drug manufactured in Taiwan) for treating abdominal pain and the medication was presented. Laboratory investigation confirmed that Gewolen contains famprofazone, which is known to metabolize to methamphetamine and amphetamine and is included in the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency. Study on the excretion profiles of three volunteers ingesting 50 mg famprofazone produced the following patterns similar to that observed in the case specimen: (a) the ratio of methamphetamine to amphetamine was approximately 6 to 1; (b) d- and l-enantiomers of both methamphetamine and amphetamine were present, while the amount of l-methamphetamine was 3-4-fold greater than its counterpart. The data suggested that famprofazone (as the ingredient of Gewolen) was likely the source of the prohibited drugs found in the case specimen.

Multiresidue analytical method using dispersive solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry to determine pharmaceuticals in whole blood

A convenient analytical method for the simultaneous determination of more than 40 pharmaceuticals belonging to various therapeutic categories in whole blood has been developed. Exemplarily, the method was fully validated for eight different pharmaceuticals. The procedure entails addition of acetonitrile, magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride to a small amount of blood, then the mixture is shaken intensively and centrifuged for phase separation. An aliquot of the organic layer is cleaned up by dispersive solid-phase extraction employing bulk sorbents as well as magnesium sulfate for the removal of residual water. This method was based on the QuEChERS approach developed for pesticide residue analysis in food. Gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with electron (EI) and chemical (CI) ionisation was then used for qualitative and quantitative determination of the pharmaceuticals. The dispersive SPE with PSA (sorbent functionalized with primary and secondary amines) was found more suitable than aminopropyl and a styrene-divinylbenzene sorbent for sample clean-up before drug level determination in whole blood and plasma, as it was found that most of endogenous matrix components were removed and the analytes were isolated from spiked samples with recoveries above 80%. Variation coefficients of the repeatability typically smaller than 10% have been achieved for a wide range of the investigated substances. The used analytical conditions allowed to separate successively a variety of drugs and poisons with the typical limit of detection at <20 ng mL(-1) levels using 1 microL injection of equivalent blood sample in whole blood. The method is simple, rapid, cheap and very effective for therapeutic drug monitoring and forensic chemistry.

Automated microcolumn-switching system for drug analysis by direct injection of human plasma

This study presents the application of a system that joins the known advantages of capillary liquid chromatography (e.g., higher concentration of the analytes and lower consumption of mobile phase) with those of column-switching using restricted access material (RAM) (sample clean up and extraction) to the analysis of fluoxetine in plasma samples. Automatically, the system loads the biological sample, while a RAM-BSA-C18 column (50 mm x 520 microm) excludes the macromolecules and focuses the analytes; afterwards, a second mobile phase elutes the analytes, in backflush mode, and provides the separation in a C18 analytical column (100 mm x 520 microm). We optimized the procedure for a total analysis time of 25 min. Using this approach the calibration curve shows r=0.998 with a linearity range from 20 to 500 ng ml(-1). Precision, calculated as relative standard deviation (RSD), was<20%. The developed miniaturized system showed to be adequate and attractive, demonstrating a large potential for sample preparation.

A Fully Automated Turbulent-Flow Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Technique for Monitoring Antidepressants in Human Serum

Antidepressants belong to a variety of chemical and pharmacologic classes. Most require therapeutic drug monitoring, at least in certain circumstances, such as unexplained inefficacy or suspected toxicity. Several types of chromatographic methods have generally been used. This paper presents a fully automated, sensitive, and specific method for the therapeutic drug monitoring of 13 antidepressants of all classes (amoxapine, amitriptyline, citalopram, clomipramine, dothiepin, doxepin, fluoxetine, imipramine, maprotiline, mianserin, paroxetine, sertraline, trimipramine) and some of their respective active metabolites (nortriptyline, monodesmethylcitalopram, desmethylclomipramine, desipramine, norfluoxetine, desmethylmianserin, N-desmethylsertraline), based on the innovative turbulent-flow liquid chromatography (TFC) technology, coupled to tandem-mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The antidepressants were divided in two groups depending on their chromatographic properties, so that two injections would be necessary to screen all compounds (which is infrequent for therapeutic drug monitoring). Calibration curves ranged from 10 to 500 ng/mL. No significant memory effect was observed after the injection of a blank serum sample spiked at 500 ng/mL. The intra-assay and inter-assay precision CVs ranged from 0.4% to 12% and from 1% to 16%, respectively. The method was further validated by blindly analyzing Heathcontrol-Therapeutic Drugs Scheme samples (Cardiff Bioanalytical Services Ltd.) containing several antidepressants.

Determination of several psychiatric drugs in whole blood using capillary gas–liquid chromatography with nitrogen phosphorus detection: comparison of two solid phase extraction procedures

A simple and reliable gas chromatographic method with nitrogen-phosphorus detection without derivatization was developed for the detection of several psychiatric drugs in whole blood as part of systematic toxicological analyses (STA). Drugs included mirtazapine, chlorpromazine, methotrimeprazine (levomepromazine), clothiapine, olanzapine, clozapine, haloperidol, and thioridazine. All drugs were studied at concentrations of 100-2,000 microg/L, except haloperidol that was studied at concentrations of 400-8,000 microg/L. In order to select the best blood purification procedure and therefore increase the signal to noise ratio we have compared two solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns, Chem Elut and Bond Elut Certify, for their recovery, precision, sensitivity and matrix purification efficiency. Recoveries for these drugs using Chem Elut columns at 500 and 2,000 microg/L (2,000 and 8,000 microg/L for haloperidol) were in the range 21-65%, with intra-assay and inter-assay precisions of less than 17% and 19%, respectively. Limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantitation (LOQs) for mirtazapine, chlorpromazine, methotrimeprazine, clothiapine, olanzapine, clozapine, and thioridazine ranged from 62 to 161 microg/L and from 205 to 531 microg/L, respectively. LOD and LOQ for haloperidol were 442 and 1,458 microg/L, respectively. Recoveries of these compounds using Bond Elut Certify columns at 500 and 2,000 microg/L (2,000 and 8,000 microg/L for haloperidol) were in the range 44-97%, with intra-assay and inter-assay precisions of less than 7% and 14%, respectively. LODs and LOQs for mirtazapine, chlorpromazine, methotrimeprazine, clothiapine, olanzapine, clozapine, and thioridazine ranged from 37 to 66 microg/L and from 122 to 218 microg/L, respectively. LOD and LOQ for haloperidol were 156 and 515 microg/L, respectively. Linearity was observed in the studied range for all compounds with r(2) values of >0.999. The use of the mixed-mode bonded-silica Bond Elut Certify columns showed advantages comparing with Chem Elut columns for the screening of these psychotropic agents such as higher recoveries, cleaner extracts, better sensitivity, better precision and less solvent consumption and subsequent disposal.