Useful sample handlings for reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography in emergency toxicology

Some physicochemical treatments of biological samples, before being injected into a liquid chromatograph, are discussed. The advantages of dilution, liquid and solid extraction are compared referring mainly to unpublished results. Assays of antiepileptic drugs, caffeine, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, valproic acid, and meprobamate are used to demonstrate the importance of sample handlings in toxicological analyses in which reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographies are applied.