ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 January 1978
Page Count: 8

The Analysis of Meperidine and Normeperidine in Biological Specimens
Siek, TJ
Technical director, POISONLAB, Colo.

(Received 2 June 1977; accepted 26 July 1977)

Abstract

This study centers on the analytical aspects of meperidine analysis in biological specimens. The major meperidine metabolite normeperidine is treated concomitantly throughout as it is considered important in the interpretation of results in medical examiner/coroner cases and in overdosed patients. Previous studies have presented methods for the gas chromatographic analysis of meperidine in blood, plasma, or urine [1–3]. Other reports have presented procedures for meperidine and normeperidine [4–7] but did not deal with tissue analysis. Kazyak [8] reported combined meperidine and normeperidine in blood, urine, and four tissues but did not analyze the two compounds separately. A gas chromatographic method for meperidine and normeperidine in blood, urine, bile, liver, and other tissues is presented here. The method is straightforward with no derivatizing reactions prior to gas chromatography (GC); analysis time for liver is about 1 h, and blood and urine can be analyzed in 30 min. Results from twelve medical examiner cases are presented and discussed.

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Paper ID: JFS10646J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10646J
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