[The detection of amphetamines in urine samples using immunochromatographic test strips]

This study has demonstrated the possibility of using immunochromatographic test strips for the reliable qualitative detection of amphetamine and methamphetamine in the urine samples at a cut-off level of 300 ng/ml. The test strips obtained from different manufactures are shown to be slightly different in terms of specificity as appears from the frequency of cross-reactions with various pharmaceutical products and narcotic drugs. Also, the use of the immunochromatographic strips makes it possible to determine amphetamine in a range of concentrations from 100 to 1000 ng/ml by measuring the intensity of test-line colour with the help of a TotalLab TL120 programmer and special scanning programs. The analysis for amphetamine using the NrcoStop (Osiris S) immunochromatographic strips failed to confirm the presence of this substance in the urine samples from the subjects who had drunk 0.5 l of energy drinks, such as Adrenaline RUSH, Red Bull, and Burn. It means that the presence of amphetamine in the urine should not be attributed to the consumption of such drinks.