Detection of Pregabalin in Urine Using Thin Layer Chromatography: An Egyptian Study

Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant drug that is used for the treatment of partial seizures, generalized anxiety disorder, and neuropathic pain. It has been demonstrated to have potential abuse. This study aimed to detect pregabalin using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). This study recruited 120 patients from  the Emergency-Toxicology Unit with disturbed consciousness level and no history of abusive drug intake. Urine samples were collected from patients and tested for pregabalin and other drugs of abuse (opiates, cannabis, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, amphetamines, codeine and tramadol) using EMIT and TLC. Different mobile phase solvents were adopted for the development of pregabalin in TLC plates. The present results showed that 60% of cases were positive for pregabalin using two mobile phases (toluene: glacial acetic acid) and (chloroform: methanol, while other mobile phase (Ethyl acetate: methanol: concentrated ammonia) did not allow for the development of pregabalin. From the present results it can be concluded that TLC can be used as a method for detection of pregabalin in urine.