A labetalol metabolite with analytical characteristics resembling amphetamines

J Anal Toxicol. 1995 Mar-Apr;19(2):84-6. doi: 10.1093/jat/19.2.84.

Abstract

A metabolite of labetalol that is responsible for previous reports of false-positive assays for amphetamines by thin-layer chromatography and immunoassay has been identified. The compound, 3-amino-1-phenylbutane (APB), an oxidative metabolite of labetalol, was initially identified in a patient's urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and confirmed by analysis of the pure material. Gas chromatography showed a single major peak with relative retention time indistinguishable from that of methamphetamine, both underivatized and as the pentafluoropropionyl derivative. By classical thin-layer chromatography, APB migrated identically to methamphetamine but showed ninhydrin color development characteristic of amphetamine. APB was shown to cross-react approximately 2% with the Abbott TDx amphetamine/methamphetamine II kit, 10% with the Syva EMIT d.a.u. polyclonal amphetamine class kit, and 3% with the Syva EMIT d.a.u. monoclonal amphetamine kit. This degree of cross-reactivity is sufficient to cause false-positive immunoassays when cutoffs of 300 ng/mL are used.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amphetamines / urine*
  • Butylamines / urine*
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Humans
  • Labetalol / urine*

Substances

  • Amphetamines
  • Butylamines
  • 3-amino-1-phenylbutane
  • Labetalol