HPLC is a very versatile method. The most common
detection methods are ultraviolet (UV), electrochemical
(EC), fluorescence (FL), and MS. For
HPLC-UV and -FL methods, a derivatization procedure
is generally required to increase sensitivity.
LC-MS is a more versatile method for sensitive determination
of many types of drugs including amphetamines.
As a conventional method, GC-MS is
well known and has generally been used in the forensic
and toxicologic fields. However, GC also requires
derivatization to increase the volatility of target
compounds, and thus its use for water-soluble
compounds has been limited. On the other hand, LCMS
generally requires no derivatization of target
compounds. This is an important advantage of analytical
procedure in terms of time reduction. As a
result, LC-MS is becoming more commonly used
than GC-MS.
Recently, the rapid emergency drug identification
high-sensitivity (REMEDi-HS) system utilizing
HPLC has been used in emergency hospitals for
the detection of drugs of abuse as well as poison
compounds.