Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

A sertraline-intoxicated driver.

Timothy P Rohrig1, Lana J Goodson

  • 1Regional Forensic Science Center, 1109 North Minneapolis, Wichita, Kansas 67214, USA.

Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|November 13, 2004
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Seized drug reporting of NPS helps to guide regional toxicological practice: A 17 month review between 2022 and 2023.

Journal of forensic sciences·2024
Same author

Driving Impairment Cases Involving Flualprazolam.

Journal of analytical toxicology·2022
Same author

1,1-Difluoroethane Forensic Aspects for the Toxicologist and Pathologist.

Journal of analytical toxicology·2021
Same author

Fentanyl and Driving Impairment.

Journal of analytical toxicology·2020
Same author

Driving Impairment Cases Involving Etizolam and Flubromazolam.

Journal of analytical toxicology·2020
Same author

U-47700: A Not So New Opioid.

Journal of analytical toxicology·2017
Same journal

Theory put into practice: probabilistic approach to propranolol as the cause of death.

Journal of analytical toxicology·2026
Same journal

Is drug facilitated sexual assault changing? About a case involving 4-bromomethcathinone.

Journal of analytical toxicology·2026
Same journal

Differentiation of 2-, 3-, and 4-Fluorofuranylfentanyl Using HPLC-MS and Human Liver Microsomes.

Journal of analytical toxicology·2026
Same journal

Trends and Circumstances of Pediatric Fentanyl Deaths in North Carolina: A 10-year Retrospective Study.

Journal of analytical toxicology·2026
Same journal

Drug Detection in Traffic-Related Fatalities in Connecticut (2020-2024).

Journal of analytical toxicology·2026
Same journal

Characterization of postmortem γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and a novel model to discern exogenous use.

Journal of analytical toxicology·2026
See all related articles

This case report details a driving under the influence incident involving sertraline, an SSRI antidepressant. Blood analysis confirmed sertraline as the sole intoxicating substance, highlighting potential impairment risks.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Sertraline is a widely prescribed selective serotonin reuptuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.
  • It is chemically distinct from other antidepressants.
  • Antidepressant use can potentially impact cognitive and motor functions relevant to driving.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document a case of driving under the influence (DUI) where sertraline was the identified impairing substance.
  • To report the blood concentration of sertraline in a DUI case.
  • To contribute to understanding the forensic implications of sertraline use.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a motor vehicle accident involving a driver exhibiting signs of impairment.
  • Law enforcement investigation noting confusion, inability to stand/walk, slurred speech, and somnolence.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Toxicological analysis of blood sample using solid-phase extraction, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

    • Main Results:

    • The driver showed clear signs of intoxication, with no evidence of alcohol presence.
    • Toxicological analysis detected only sertraline in the blood sample.
    • The quantified blood sertraline concentration was 1285 microg/L.

    Conclusions:

    • This case demonstrates that sertraline can be the sole substance contributing to driving impairment.
    • The findings underscore the importance of considering prescribed medications in DUI investigations.
    • Further research may be warranted to establish sertraline impairment thresholds for driving.