Analytical method for detection and quantification of new emerging drug etaqualone in human blood and urine by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

•Analytical method for etaqualone in human blood/urine by GC–MS/MS was newly established.•All validation data examined were satisfactory, which seems reliable for investigation.•The established method could successfully be applicated to authentic samples.•Etaqualone in human blood/urine samples could be detected to be 13.4 and 2.25 ng/mL after 2 h oral ingestion by analysis.•This study is the first to report analysis for etaqualone in human fluid samples.