Analysis of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its Metabolites in Plasma and Urine by HPLC-DAD and GC-MS
Journal of Analytical Toxicology October 1, 1996 H. J. Helmlin, K. Bracher, Daniel Bourquin et al. 160 citations
MDMA (Ecstasy) is a widely abused illicit drug at European all-night dance parties. Analytical methods were established to detect MDMA and its metabolites (HMMA, HHMA, MDA, HMA, HHA) in plasma and urine. Plasma and urine samples from two participants in a controlled clinical study were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. After a single oral dose of 1.5 mg/kg MDMA, peak plasma levels of 331 ng/mL MDMA occurred at 2 hours, and 15 ng/mL MDA at 6.3 hours. Peak urine MDMA concentration was 28.1 micrograms/mL at 21.5 hours. Conjugated HMMA and HHMA are the main urinary metabolites.