LAUSR

The aim of this work was the optimization and method validation for antidepressants (fluoxetine, venlafaxine, amitriptyline, mianserin, trimipramine, nortriptyline, mirtazapine, sertraline, dothiepin, citalopram, and paroxetine) and their metabolites in urine and plasma samples using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The antidepressants were extracted with a Strata™ X solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge prior to analysis. The method presented linearity within the studied ranges in both samples with quantification limits varying from 1 to 15 ng mL−1 and determination coefficients (R2) higher than 0.99 for all analytes in all runs. The limits of detection ranged from 1 to 5 ng mL−1 for the compounds under study. The recovery for urine samples ranged from 40 to 89% and for plasma samples varied from 68 to 98%. Precision and accuracy analysis showed acceptable coefficients of variation and relative error, fulfilling the criteria normally accepted in bioanalytical method validation. The method developed proved to be suitable for screening of the studied drugs in urine and plasma samples, proving to be sensitive and presenting appropriate selectivity and sensitivity, allowing detection of small amounts of the analytes.Graphical Abstract