Development and validation of a practical analytical method for Zolpidem as a drug facilitated crime tool

Abstract

Abstract: Zolpidem, as a member of Z-drugs, is a non-benzodiazepine, imidazopyridine derivative chemicalsubstance used in the treatment of insomnia. This substance is frequently reported as a tool of drug facilitated crimessuch as date rape, robbery, extortion etc besides drugged driving. A Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) method by a one step extraction method with ethyl acetate from urine using HP-5MS capillary column wasdeveloped for the determination of zolpidem. Clozapine was used as internal standard. Linearity range was between10-200 μg mL -1. Limit of detection was 0.28 μg mL -1 , limit of quantification was 0.35 μg mL -1, the mean rangeof recoveries was between 93.40-94.41% for three spiked concentrations (15, 20 and 50 μg mL -1). The differenceof concentrations for same samples analyzed at 7-day intervals was found 0.02 CV% for stability study. The reportedmethod was found cheap, sensitive, rapid, and suitable for the analysis of the spiked beverages and foods as well asurine as evidences of sexual assault, robbery or intentional/ non-intentional intoxication phenomena.