NCJ Number
174699
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 43 Issue: 1 Dated: January 1998 Pages: 5-8
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Studies were conducted to determine the stability of nitrobenzodiazepine drugs and their 7-amino metabolites in water and blood to aid the toxicological interpretation of deaths involving these drugs.
Abstract
The samples consisting of drugs or their metabolites were incubated at 4 degrees, 22 degrees, and 37 degrees Celsius for 28 days. Samples of equal size were removed and analyzed at 0 time and after 28 days. After collection, these samples were rapidly frozen and stored at minus 20 degrees until analyzed. A separate experiment was performed to determine if the preservative affected the stabilities of the parent nitrobenzodiazepines. Results revealed that the nitrobenzodiazepines and their metabolites are unstable chemically in blood. Findings indicated that blood collected for the purpose of nitrobenzodiazepine determinations should be preserved with sodium fluoride, stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius, and assayed as soon as practicable, preferably within a week of collection. Tables, figure, and 12 references (Author abstract modified)