The Enantiomeric Study of Methamphetamine Tablets in Thailand

Abstract

Capillary electrophoresis using β-cyclodextrin and dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin as chiral selectors was performed in parallel to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, in an effort to characterize the enantiomeric substances in 557 illicit methamphetamine tablets in Thailand collected during 1983-2000. The study revealed the stimulants in these tablets, namely ephedrine, methamphetamine and caffeine, appearing as single substances or in combination. Ephedrine was found in only the form of 1R,2Sephedrine. Pseudoephedrine was not detected. At present, S-methamphetamine occupied 100% among methamphetamine epidemic in Thailand whilst R-methamphetamine was detected in the initial stage.