NCJ Number
217673
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2007 Pages: 479-486
Date Published
March 2007
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on the scientific investigation of an athlete's claim that taking Gewolen (a nonprescription drug manufactured in Taiwan) for abdominal pain was responsible for the positive finding of both methamphetamine (2,688 ng/ml) and amphetamine (462 ng/ml) in her urine specimen taken in the course of a sports event in Taiwan.
Abstract
The laboratory investigation confirmed that Gewolen contains famprofazone, which is known to metabolize to methamphetamine and amphetamine. In addition to establishing that the medication claimed by the athlete for treating abdominal pain contained famprofazone, the analysis provided evidence to support the athlete's claim that she ingested famprofazone before the sports competition. This claim was supported by the presence of methamphetamine, amphetamine, and other minor amounts of metabolites; similarity in the concentrations and ratios of methamphetamine and amphetamine; and similarity in the proportions of l-and d-methamphetamine and their enantiomers. The detailed description of the materials and methods used in the investigation of the athlete's claim addresses chemicals and standards, urine samples, sample preparation and extraction procedure, extraction and derivatization procedures for routine screen and confirmation, and the separation of the d-and l-enantiomers of amphetamine and methamphetamine. Also described are sample preparation for quantification by gas chromatography-nitrogen-phosphorus detector; instrumentation and conditions; the evaluation of analytical parameters; and linearity, accuracy, and precision. 1 table, 5 figures, and 19 references