Rapid GC–MS analysis of methamphetamine and its metabolites in urine—application of a short narrow-bore capillary column to GC–MS

A rapid analysis of methamphetamine and its metabolites in urine was performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) using a short narrow-bore capillary column (NBC) (5 m × 0.1 mm I.D.). For detection, selected ion monitoring (SIM) was performed for the characteristic ions of each of the compounds. The analytes were independently detected within 2 min. Linearity was demonstrated over a range from 25–2500 ng/ml. As an application of this study, a urine sample from a drug-abuse suspect was analyzed. The analytes from the actual sample were detected with reasonable reproducibility. The results indicate the possibility of rapid analysis using a conventional GC–MS with a short NBC at a relatively low inlet pressure.