Advances in detection of antipsychotics in biological matrices

• A review of the analytical methods for detection of antipsychotics in human matrices.
• We focus on sample preparation, analytical techniques and alternative matrices.
• Articles published between 2010 and September 2014 were critically evaluated.
• (U)HPLC–MS/MS is used most often for quantification of antipsychotics.
• Alternative matrices, like dried blood spots, hair and nails, have gained importance.

Measuring antipsychotic concentrations in human matrices is important for both therapeutic drug monitoring and forensic toxicology. This review provides a critical overview of the analytical methods for detection and quantification of antipsychotics published in the last four years. Focus lies on advances in sample preparation, analytical techniques and alternative matrices. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) is used most often for quantification of antipsychotics. This sensitive technique makes it possible to determine low concentrations not only in serum, plasma or whole blood, but also in alternative matrices like oral fluid, dried blood spots, hair, nails and other body tissues. Current literature on analytical techniques for alternative matrices is still limited and often requires a more thorough validation including a comparison between conventional and alternative results to determine their actual value. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) makes it possible to quantify a high amount of compounds within a shorter run time. This technique is widely used for multi-analyte methods. Only recently, high-resolution mass spectrometry has gained importance when a combination of screening of (un)known metabolites, and quantification is required.