Quantitative Analysis of 58 Antipsychotics and Antidepressants in Human Urine

The increasing prevalence of mental health disorders continues to impact global public health. As awareness and treatment accessibility expand, the prescription rates for antipsychotics (APs) and antidepressants (ADs) have steadily risen. According to the CDC, the use of antidepressants in the United States has increased nearly 65% over a 15-year period.

These medications are prescribed for a variety of psychiatric and neurological conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and chronic pain. In both clinical and forensic contexts, the quantitative detection of these drugs in biological matrices is essential. Monitoring concentrations of antipsychotics and antidepressants helps confirm therapeutic compliance, detect potential abuse, and support forensic toxicology investigations in cases involving overdose, intoxication, or suicide.

Analytical Importance of AP and AD Quantification

In the clinical setting, therapeutic drug monitoring ensures that patients maintain the appropriate drug concentration for effective treatment. Unfortunately, adherence to prescribed antipsychotic medications is reported to be low. To address this issue, laboratories are increasingly adopting urine testing protocols that can verify compliance and support more personalized treatment management.

For forensic applications, simultaneous detection of multiple drugs and metabolites provides valuable insight into cause-of-death investigations, post-mortem toxicology, and criminal casework. The complexity of these samples requires analytical methods that are both highly specific and sensitive to a wide range of compounds.

High-Throughput LC-MS/MS Method Using the Restek Raptor Biphenyl Column

A recent study from Restek demonstrated a highly efficient LC-MS/MS workflow for the quantitative analysis of 58 compounds — 28 antipsychotics and 30 antidepressants — in human urine. By combining a simple sample preparation procedure with fast chromatographic elution using the Raptor Biphenyl column, laboratories can achieve exceptional accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility.

The Raptor Biphenyl phase enhances retention and separation of structurally similar analytes, offering an ideal balance between reversed-phase and aromatic selectivity. This results in improved peak shape, minimized matrix interference, and precise quantification of therapeutic and toxic concentrations in urine samples.

Advantages of the Raptor Biphenyl LC Column for Drug Screening

• Simultaneous Detection: Quantifies 58 target compounds (APs and ADs) in a single 8-minute LC-MS/MS run.
• Improved Selectivity: Biphenyl chemistry offers superior resolution for structurally related analytes.
• Fast Throughput: Optimized for routine clinical and forensic applications requiring high sample capacity.
• Robust Reproducibility: Provides consistent results across multiple injections and sample batches.

Applications in Clinical and Forensic Laboratories

This validated LC-MS/MS workflow provides accurate, reproducible quantitation of therapeutic and abused drugs. It supports both hospital laboratories monitoring compliance and forensic laboratories investigating toxicological evidence. The approach ensures confidence in results across diverse sample types, supporting faster decision-making and regulatory compliance.

Partner with Chrom Tech

Chrom Tech is a Minnesota-based global distributor of chromatography and mass spectrometry supplies. We provide HPLC vials, well plates, syringe filters, solvent waste containers, and a full line of chromatography consumables to support LC-MS/MS workflows. Contact Chrom Tech to learn more about how our Restek columns and analytical solutions can streamline your drug monitoring applications.