Abstract

The quaternary ammonium-linked glucuronides of amitriptyline, imipramine, and chlorpromazine were shown to be conjugated in vitro using an immobilized rabbit hepatic microsomal enzyme preparation. It was shown that fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry could be used for direct characterization of these involatile, thermally labile metabolites. The quaternary ammonium-linked glucuronides of amitriptyline and imipramine were demonstrated to be present in urine from patients receiving therapeutic doses of these tricyclic antidepressants.