
Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
When analysing medications, above all in patients taking a combination of different drugs, a highly selective method is required in order to rule out reciprocal interference of substances with similar structures.
That is why we now consistently use high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.
Following separation in the analytical column (see HPLC), the molecules are ionised using electrospray or APCI and transferred to the gas phase intact. They are then passed through an initial mass filter, selected according to their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) and collided with gas molecules. The fragments created as a result of this process are characteristic of the molecular structure. Detection then takes place via a second mass filter on a specific and selective fragment for the analyte being looked for.
We already offer serum, plasma and whole blood level analyses of over 90 antiarrhythmics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, immunosuppressants and neuroleptics on this basis, with new analytes being added all the time.
In addition to providing rapid results for the most common determinations, we also try to offer maximum reliability, which is why we also employ human checks from several well-known manufacturers wherever possible.
We are also happy to meet individual requests if you would like to have a special medication or differentiated group of drugs determined in a sufficient number of samples.
Your contact person
DrRolf Dietiker
Head Special Analytics
Special Analytics, Drug Analytics