Detection of Acetylcodeine in Urine as an Indicator of Illicit Heroin Use: Method Validation and Results of a Pilot Study

heroin synthesis, has been suggested as an interesting biomarker of illicit heroin use. Methods: Procedures were developed for quantification of (a) morphine, 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-AM), and codeine in urine and (b) diacetylmorphine and AC in urine. Solid-phase extraction of the analytes was per-formed, and the extracted analytes were analyzed by selected-ion monitoring with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. This procedure required prior derivatiza-tion with propionic anhydride. Results: Different validation parameters were deter-mined, such as linearity, reproducibility, extraction re-coveries, and cutoffs. Seventy-one urine specimens of illicit heroin abusers and 44 urine specimens of subjects in a heroin maintenance program were analyzed. A