# Investigation of illicit pregabalin in seized samples from Saudi Arabia

## TL;DR

This study analyzed seized pregabalin samples in Saudi Arabia and found significant variability in drug content and the presence of harmful adulterants.

## Contribution

A validated UPLC-PDA method was developed for pregabalin quantification, alongside LC-MS/MS for detecting adulterants in illicit drug samples.

## Key findings

- 31.43% of samples failed quality standards and contained toxic substances beyond declared contents.
- The UPLC-PDA method showed high accuracy and precision for pregabalin quantification.
- Adulterants like codeine, paracetamol, and gabapentin were detected in 2.9% of capsules.

## Abstract

Pregabalin (PGL) is a medication that is prescribed for controlling specific neurological-related symptoms. Due to its abuse in multiple countries, PGL has been classified as a controlled substance by authorities, including the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).

This study developed a validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (UPLC-PDA) method to quantify PGL in 40 seized samples (35 capsules, 5 powders). A complementary liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was used to detect potential adulterants.

The UPLC-PDA method demonstrated linearity (r = 0.9973) for PGL quantification (0.50–3.00 mg/mL), with an accuracy of 96%–102%. The RSD% values were 0.63% and 1.03% for intra-day and inter-day precision, respectively. Analysis of the five powder samples revealed a relative inconsistency in PGL content (107.91%–114.55%). Moreover, it showed higher variability in PGL content (RSD 1.16%–5.30%), suggesting possible adulteration or poor manufacturing. Furthermore, the results of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) showed an acceptable purity for the powder samples. On the other hand, among 35 capsules, 5 (14.29%) exceeded pharmacopeial limits (95%–105% PGL content), while 6 (17.14%) contained <95% PGL.

These results demonstrate significant variability in PGL content and the presence of adulterants, underscoring the need for robust analytical methods in forensic chemistry. Furthermore, the LC-MS/MS method detected adulteration of PGL with codeine, paracetamol, and gabapentin in 2.9% of the analyzed capsules, suggesting custom mixing by perpetrators. In general, 31.43% of these samples failed to meet quality standards and contained substances beyond declared contents that posed toxicity risks, revealing inadequacies in illicit drug production and circulation. The UPLC-PDA method offers a rapid, validated approach for PGL quantification, while LC-MS/MS enhances adulterant detection, supporting forensic and quality control applications.