Qualitative Chemical Screening of Phenylephrine from Drug Combination: A Forensic Based Approach

Abstract

Phenylephrine Hydrochloride is a largely utilized active ingredient in commonly available over-the-counter medications for the treatment of diseases such as cold, sinus clog, and stuffy nose. It has also been classified as a stimulant substance by WADA's monitoring program, rendering it vulnerable to misuse. Pharmacologically, it can cause agitation, hypervigilance, and an increase in blood pressure. It can be found as an additive ingredient in illicit drug complexes. In forensic chemical analysis, established methods are required for the successful and efficient analysis of phenylephrine. The analytical procedure begins with the presumptive testing of the drug which was not reported specifically for phenylephrine. Further, different variants of the Liquid-Liquid Extraction technique were used for the efficient isolation of phenylephrine. Chromatographic techniques such as TLC, HPTLC, and LC-MS/MS were utilized to detect Phenylephrine in the extracted sample. Mass spectrometry analysis of the extracted drug revealed that it underwent degradation, which is indicated through the m/z peaks obtained and fragmentation pattern. This present work incorporates methods for separating and identifying the drug present in a minute quantity from the mixture of drugs, which remains a challenge. The study denotes the significance of identifying the component in different kinds of chemical exhibits. This study aimed to provide an upgraded chemical profile of the Phenylephrine drug. These findings require careful consideration for future studies on the analysis of such components in seized drugs.