Pregabalin determination in hair by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Pregabalin is an antiepileptic and analgesic drug, commercialized under the name of Lyrica, and generally used to treat neuropathic pain. The determination of pregabalin was performed by using spiked hair samples extracted in methanol and analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The validation of a quantification method of pregabalin in hair has been successfully achieved (precision, accuracy, matrix effects and extraction yield). The limit of detection was 0.76 pg/mg and the lower limit of quantification was 2.5 pg/mg. A real case of pregabalin in hair has been analyzed using this method. The result showed a concentration of 540 pg/mg.