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Published on: April 23, 2019
Analytical techniques for drug detection in oral fluid
1National Public Health Institute, Drug Research Unit, Helsinki, Finland. pirjo.lillsunde@ktl.fi
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
|March 28, 2008
Summary
Oral fluid drug testing offers a convenient alternative to urine analysis, especially for roadside screening. Its detection window mirrors blood, making it ideal for monitoring driving under the influence (DUI) and illicit drug use.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Oral fluid (OF) is a readily accessible biological matrix for drug analysis.
- No medical personnel are required for OF sample collection, simplifying testing procedures.
- OF analysis is increasingly used in roadside drug testing, drug treatment monitoring, epidemiological studies, and workplace drug testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review analytical techniques for drug detection in oral fluid.
- To emphasize applications in European Union (EU) roadside testing projects.
- To highlight the suitability of OF as a specimen for drug testing.
Main Methods:
- Review of analytical techniques for drug detection in oral fluid.
- Emphasis on methods applied in EU roadside testing initiatives.
- Discussion of drug levels and detection windows in OF compared to other matrices.
Main Results:
- Oral fluid drug levels are generally lower than in urine.
- The detection window for drugs in OF closely reflects that of blood.
- OF is a suitable specimen for roadside drug testing due to its accessibility and detection profile.
Conclusions:
- Oral fluid is a valuable matrix for drug testing, particularly for roadside screening and monitoring illicit drug use.
- Challenges exist in therapeutic drug monitoring due to variable saliva/blood ratios.
- Advancements in analytical methods have enabled sensitive drug detection in oral fluid.
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