Stability of analytes in biosamples—an important issue in clinical and forensic toxicology?

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Frank T. Peters Anal Bioanal Chem (2007) 388:1505-1519

Abstract Knowledge of the stability of drugs in biological
samples is important for the interpretation of toxicological
findings. This paper reviews data on the stability of drugs
in blood, plasma, or serum. Since such data have already
been reviewed for classic drugs of abuse, the focus here is
on newer drugs of abuse and on therapeutic drugs. Key
information about the conditions of the stability experi-
ments will be provided and the following drugs or drug
classes are covered: amphetamines, amphetamine-derived,
piperazine-derived, and phenethylamine-derived designer
drugs, antidepressants, neuroleptics, anti-HIV drugs, anti-
epileptics, cardiovascular drugs, and others. In addition,
aspects of stability experiments and their evaluations are
discussed. The data presented show that the majority of
drugs are stable in blood, plasma, or serum samples under
the conditions usually encountered in a clinical or forensic
toxicology laboratory. Instability usually only occurs for
drugs carrying ester moieties, sulfur atoms, or other easily
oxidized or reduced structures. Nevertheless, clinical or
forensic specimens should always be stored at least in the
refrigerator and preferably at −20 °C or lower to avoid any
degradation. Finally, results obtained from biosamples that
have been stored at room temperature for a longer time
should be interpreted with great care and partial degradation
should always be considered.

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