Performance of four mixed‐mode solid‐phase extraction columns applied to basic drugs in urine

Abstract

Four different mixed‐mode cation exchange solid‐phase extraction columns were compared for extraction of basic drugs from urine using HPLC‐DAD analysis: Isolute HCX‐3, ABN, Bond Elut Certify and Oasis MCX. With one exception, all the studied drugs attained recoveries exceeding 50 % for all columns. We considered the following drugs: amphetamine, amlodipine, chlorprothixene, fentanyl, haloperidol, ketobemidone, methadone, mirtazapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, sertraline and zopiclone. The average recoveries for the four column types ranged from 68.5 % to 92.1 % in the experiments. In conclusion, the basic compounds performed reasonably well in all columns, and other factors, such as availability and price, may be decisive in regard to choice of column.

• Basic drugs
• mixed‐mode solid‐phase extraction
• HPLC‐DAD

Acknowledgements

The technical assistance of Suzanne Nielsen is acknowledged.