Screening procedure for detection of phenothiazine and analogous neuroleptics and their metabolites in urine using a computerized gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric technique.

A method for the identification of phenothiazine and analogous neuroleptics and their metabolites in urine after acid hydrolysis is described. The acetylated extract is analysed by computerized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. An on-line computer allows rapid detection using mass fragmentography with the masses m/e 58, 72, 86, 98, 100, 113, 114, 141 and 132, 148, 154, 191, 198, 199, 243, 267. The identity of positive signals in the reconstructed mass fragmentograms is established by comparison of the stored entire mass spectra with those of standards. The mass fragmentograms, the underlying mass spectra and the gas chromatographic retention indices (OV-101) are documented.