Emergency Gas—Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Barbiturates and Glutethimide in Serum

Abstract

A method is presented for the rapid gas chromatographic determination of barbiturates and glutethimide in serum, suitable for use in clinical emergencies. The sample is prepared for gas chromatography by acidification and a single extraction with chloroform. From 70 to 100% of the various barbiturates and glutethimide are analytically recovered, with a coefficient of variation of 8 to 10% for the method. During a 10-month clinical evaluation (87 requested determinations), 34 analyses (39% of the samples submitted) were positive for barbiturates, glutethimide, or both.

Disposition of glutethimide in man

“…This is presumably one of the reasons for the relative lack of success of forced diuresis in the treatment of glutethimide poisoning. 1o , 13 Glutethimide supposedly induces sleep within 20 minutes of dosage. The sleep, but not necessarily the drug effect, lasts for 6 to 8 hours.…”