Parameter Set Antidepressants 2/ Psychostimulants/EXTENDED - LC-MS/MS

Clinical relevance

Antidepressants are a group of chemically different drugs used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders and chronic pain. They modify the metabolism of the body's own neurotransmitters, primarily those of serotonin and norepinephrine, or react with their receptors.

Psychostimulants increase the activity of the central nervous system. Among other things, they eliminate fatigue, reduce the need for sleep, increase the ability to concentrate and inhibit the appetite.
This parameter set also includes psychostimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin®). The amphetamine-like substance is mainly used in the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methylphenidate inhibits the reuptake of dopamine and noradrenaline, thus increasing their concentration in the synaptic cleft and enhancing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Atomoxetine, which has a chemical structure similar to fluoxetine, is another drug used to treat ADHD. In Germany, atomoxetine is approved for ADHD and is not subject to the controlled-substances law of Germany (Betäubungsmittelgesetz BtMG). Mianserin, reboxetine, and trazodone are prescribed for depression.

Product advantages

With the Parameter Set Antidepressants 2/Psychostimulants/EXTENDED in serum/plasma, 20 different drugs can be measured quickly and efficiently using LC-MS/MS. Due to the careful optimisation of all kit components as well as the chromatographic separation, matrix effects (“ion suppression”) are minimised and the robustness of the method is enhanced. Sample preparation is based on a protein precipitation step. The use of stable isotopically labelled (deuterated) and co-eluting internal standards as well as 3PLUS1® multilevel calibrators ensures high precision and the reproducible and reliable quantification of the analytes.

The Parameter Set is a part of the Series A modular system, which enables the analysis of all parameters without switching column or changing the mobile phases, thereby minimising required workload in the laboratory. The Basic Kit A contains all components required for sample preparation and all necessary mobile phases. The MasterColumn® A is the analytical column used for the determination of all Series A analytes. Our portfolio contains further MassTox® Parameter Sets.

For the analysis you require the MassTox® TDM Basic Kit A, the specific MassTox® TDM Parameter Set and the analytical column MassTox® TDM MasterColumn® A.