Ecgonine Methyl Ester, A Major Metabolite of Cocaine

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Abstract
Most assays for the identification of cocaine use are aimed at detection of benzoylecgonine, a major urinary metabolite. Gas chromatography assays require derivatization of benzoylecgonine. Recently, ecgonine methyl ester (methylecgonine) has been shown to be a major urinary metabolite of cocaine in man after oral administration. These results indicate that ecgonine methyl ester is a prominent urinary metabolite after street use of cocaine, which primarily involves intranasal application and intravenous injection rather than ingestion. Advantages of GC/MS analysis for ecgonine methyl ester in identifying cocaine use include the ability to Chromatograph it on common stationary phases without derivatization and its early elution.

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