Detection of levamisole exposure in cocaine users by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

J Anal Toxicol. 2011 Apr;35(3):176-8. doi: 10.1093/anatox/35.3.176.

Abstract

Levamisole, a veterinary antihelminthic, was recently recognized as an adulterant in cocaine and is known to cause severe adverse reactions in some cocaine users. Because of the health concerns involving levamisole-adulterated cocaine, we developed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method for the detection of levamisole in urine. This method was used to determine the prevalence of levamisole in cocaine-positive patient samples. All cocaine-positive urine samples that were sent to the San Francisco General Hospital Clinical Laboratory were tested for levamisole for one month. For LC, an Agilent 1200 series was used with a C(18) column and a gradient of mobile phase A (0.05% formic acid) and B (acetonitrile/methanol). Detection was carried out with an Applied Biosystems QTRAP(®) LC-MS-MS. The levamisole LC-MS-MS method was linear over the range of 5-2500 ng/mL (r > 0.996). Interassay and intraassay CVs were < 6%. The lower limit of detection for levamisole was 0.5 ng/mL. Out of 949 total urine drug screens, 20% were positive for benzoylecgonine, and of those, 88% were positive for levamisole. The high prevalence of levamisole-adulterated cocaine and potential toxicity in cocaine users is a serious public health concern. These findings validate the utility of an LC-MS-MS method for the detection of levamisole.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antinematodal Agents / adverse effects
  • Antinematodal Agents / urine*
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / urine*
  • Drug Contamination / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Levamisole / adverse effects
  • Levamisole / urine*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Substance Abuse Detection
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Substances

  • Antinematodal Agents
  • Levamisole