We have compared an in-house horizontal thin layer chromatography (TLC) method with a commercial TLC screening kit (Toxi-Lab) to find the most suitable method for screening urine for opioid drugs. The in-house TLC procedure is cheaper and more efficient than the commercial TLC method and is ideal as a confirmatory method when used in conjunction with other established laboratory methods. The in-house TLC method is useful for one-off requests and is able to differentiate between small quantities (0·1–0·5 mg/L) of the different, commonly abused opioids and their metabolites, which means that it is well suited for use at a local Drug Addiction Unit as a routine screening service.
SimpsonDJarvieDRHeyworthR. An evaluation of six methods for the detection of drugs of abuse in urine. Ann Clin Biochem1989; 26: 172–81.
2.
BurnettDLaderSRichensASmithBLToselandPAWalkerGA survey of drugs of abuse testing by clinical laboratories in the UK. Ann Clin Biochem1990; 27: 213–22.
3.
WolffKSandersonMJHayAWM. A rapid horizontal TLC method for detecting drugs of abuse. Ann Clin Biochem1990; 27: 482–8.
4.
SpireBDormatB. Inactivation of lymphadenopathy-associated virus by heat, gamma rays and ultraviolet light. Lancet1985; i: 8–9.
5.
WolffKShanabMASandersonMJHayAWM. Screening for drugs of abuse: Effect of heat-treating urine for safe handling of samples. Clin Chem1990; 36: 908–10.
6.
Toxi-lab Instruction manual Analytical Systems, Division of Marion Laboratories Inc., CA., USA. (Available from Mercia Diagnostics).
7.
JarvieDRSimpsonD. Drug screening: Evaluation of Toxi-lab TLC system. Ann Clin Biochem1986; 23: 76–84.
8.
BerryDJGroveJ. Improved chromatographic techniques and their interpretation for screening urine from drug-dependent subjects. J Chromat1971; 61: 111–23.
9.
ConnellPHMitchesonM. Necessary safeguards when prescribing opioid drugs to addicts. BMJ1984; 288: 767–9.
10.
HolderAT. Analysis of narcotics. In: CurryA ed. Analytical Methods in Human Toxicology, vol. 1. Hong Kong: Macmillan Press, 1984; 241–88.
11.
BlackesleyJWoodDHouseCSpencer-PeetJ. A simplified TLC system for the detection of commonly abused basic drugs. Ann Clin Biochem1987; 24: 508–10.
12.
NadkarniSFayeSHayAWM. Experience with the use of Toxi-lab TLC system in screening for morphine and heroin abuse. Ann Clin Biochem1987; 24: 211–12.
13.
SmithB. Introduction to drugs of abuse for clinical chemists. In: Drugs of Abuse Screening. London: Association of Clinical Biochemists, 1987; 1–16.
