Methamphetamine Confirmation Analysis After Controlled Vicks® VapoInhaler™ Injection Into Oral Fluid
Presenter Information
Julia Canello, BA*, Stephanie Wetzel, Ph.D., Frederick Fochtman, Ph.D.
Abstract
Falsely screening positive for illicit drug use has consistently been an issue in the forensic community for years, leading to an increased need for confirmatory methods. Specifically, immunoassays have been known to screen positive for Methamphetamine use after Vick’s® VapoInhaler™ (and other nasal decongestants) intake, resulting in a false-positive for the illegal substance d-methamphetamine. Methamphetamine consists of two enantiomers, d-Methamphetamine (d-MAMP) and l-Methamphetamine (L-MAMP) and most nasal decongestants contain both. D-MAMP is the isomer which produces the psychoactive stimulant effects and is federally regulated. L-MAMP is active in nasal decongestants and intended to provide vasoconstrictive qualities in the nasal cavity. Identification of both enantiomers in Vick's® samples will confirm the presence of the illegal substance, d-MAMP. In this study, a methamphetamine ELISA kit was used to detect false-positives for controlled Vick’s® VapoInhaler™ injection into pooled oral fluid samples. Different concentrations of Vick’s® (0-500ng) was injected into separate oral fluid samples and then screened for positive d-MAMP results. Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was subsequently used to detect both enantiomers of methamphetamine. Separating and quantitating d- and l-Methamphetamine isomers in these Vick’s® products can eventually lead to more specific immunoassays which will produce less false-positives. The use of oral fluid can possibly provide law enforcement and workplace testing facilities an easier collection method for drug screening and hopefully continue to reduce false positive results.
School
Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
Advisor
Stephanie Wetzel
Submission Type
Poster
Methamphetamine Confirmation Analysis After Controlled Vicks® VapoInhaler™ Injection Into Oral Fluid
Falsely screening positive for illicit drug use has consistently been an issue in the forensic community for years, leading to an increased need for confirmatory methods. Specifically, immunoassays have been known to screen positive for Methamphetamine use after Vick’s® VapoInhaler™ (and other nasal decongestants) intake, resulting in a false-positive for the illegal substance d-methamphetamine. Methamphetamine consists of two enantiomers, d-Methamphetamine (d-MAMP) and l-Methamphetamine (L-MAMP) and most nasal decongestants contain both. D-MAMP is the isomer which produces the psychoactive stimulant effects and is federally regulated. L-MAMP is active in nasal decongestants and intended to provide vasoconstrictive qualities in the nasal cavity. Identification of both enantiomers in Vick's® samples will confirm the presence of the illegal substance, d-MAMP. In this study, a methamphetamine ELISA kit was used to detect false-positives for controlled Vick’s® VapoInhaler™ injection into pooled oral fluid samples. Different concentrations of Vick’s® (0-500ng) was injected into separate oral fluid samples and then screened for positive d-MAMP results. Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was subsequently used to detect both enantiomers of methamphetamine. Separating and quantitating d- and l-Methamphetamine isomers in these Vick’s® products can eventually lead to more specific immunoassays which will produce less false-positives. The use of oral fluid can possibly provide law enforcement and workplace testing facilities an easier collection method for drug screening and hopefully continue to reduce false positive results.