Determination of propoxyphene in oral fluid

Abstract

The determination of propoxyphene in oral fluid using solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is described for the first time. The method employs collection of oral fluid with the Quantisal™ device, immunoassay screening of the specimen, confirmation of the positive screened samples after extraction using cation exchange/hydrophobic solid-phase extraction columns, optimized derivative formation, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in electron impact mode. Validated parameters including selectivity, linearity, accuracy, intra- and interday precision, extraction efficiency, and limit of quantitation were all within acceptable limits. The method was applied to authentic specimens taken from an individual prescribed propoxyphene following surgery.