Comparison of HPLC and GC-MS methods for determination of embutramide (a component of Tanax or T-61) in biological specimens

J Anal Toxicol. 2001 Jul-Aug;25(5):323-7. doi: 10.1093/jat/25.5.323.

Abstract

Tanax or T-61, a euthanasia solution commonly used in veterinary medicine, has been often involved in suicide attempts (humans) and malicious intoxications (animals). For forensic reasons, the identification of one or more of the three components (embutramide, mebenzonium iodide, and tetracaine hydrochloride) of Tanax is needed to confirm the hypothesis of intoxication. This study was performed with new high-performance liquid chromatographic and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric methods to identify embutramide in biological matrices (blood, liver, kidney) from different animal species. The good sensitivity and specificity of both methods recommend their use in toxicological analysis in both human and veterinary medicine.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Amides / administration & dosage
  • Amides / blood*
  • Anesthetics / blood*
  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods*
  • Drug Administration Routes
  • Drug Combinations
  • Euthanasia, Active / veterinary
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Horses
  • Kidney / chemistry
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sheep
  • Species Specificity
  • Substance Abuse Detection / methods*
  • Swine
  • Tetracaine / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Amides
  • Anesthetics
  • Drug Combinations
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Tetracaine
  • embutramide
  • T 61