Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
10:17
High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry
Published on: April 23, 2019
Interpretation of oxycodone concentrations in oral fluid
Christine Moore1, Tara Kelley-Baker, John Lacey
1Immunalysis Corporation, Pomona, CA, USA.
Journal of Opioid Management
|July 17, 2012
Summary
This study found that oxycodone concentrations in saliva closely mirror blood levels, suggesting saliva is a viable alternative for monitoring therapeutic drug use. This research supports using oral fluid analysis for pain management.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Oral fluid (saliva) offers advantages over urine for drug testing due to ease of collection and resistance to adulteration.
- Saliva drug concentrations correlate more closely with blood levels than urine concentrations, reflecting free drug circulation.
- Increased prescription pain medication abuse necessitates reliable monitoring methods, highlighting the need for oral fluid analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare oxycodone concentrations in saliva and whole blood.
- To establish therapeutic concentration ranges for oxycodone in oral fluid.
- To assess the utility of oral fluid analysis for monitoring oxycodone use.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 23 paired oral fluid and whole blood specimens.
- Oral fluid samples collected using the Quantisal™ device and stored appropriately.
- Simultaneous collection of blood in gray top tubes for analysis.
Main Results:
- Median oxycodone concentration in oral fluid was 524 μg/L and in blood was 53 μg/L.
- The calculated saliva to plasma (S:P) ratio for oxycodone was 12.
- These findings enabled the projection of a potential therapeutic range for oxycodone in oral fluid.
Conclusions:
- Saliva drug concentrations are more easily interpreted in pain management compared to urine.
- The study provides a foundation for using oral fluid analysis in pain management.
- Further research on other pain medications and controlled studies are recommended.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Drug Concentrations: Measurements
Drug concentration is the quantity of a drug present in a biological sample. Measuring drug amounts in biological samples allows the clinician to understand how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. Samples can be obtained through invasive or non-invasive methods. Invasive techniques involve surgical or parenteral interventions to gather blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or tissue biopsy. Conversely, non-invasive approaches provide samples like urine, feces, and saliva.
Plasma —...
Plasma —...
01:25Dosage Regimen: Multiple Oral Dosage
Understanding how a drug's concentration fluctuates within the body over time is crucial in pharmacokinetics, particularly with multiple oral doses. A graphical representation of multiple oral dosages provides insight into these dynamics. Typical accumulation curves of a drug's concentration in the body reveal a sawtooth pattern, indicating periodic peaks and troughs correlating with each dose administration and the drug's subsequent elimination.The plasma concentration at any time during an...
01:14Time Course of Drug Effect
The progression of a drug's impact can be analyzed by examining both the concentration-time course and the effect-time course. The concentration-time course is determined by the drug's half-life and is influenced by factors such as its pharmacokinetics, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. The effect of the drug is often related to its concentration in the plasma and is calculated using the maximum drug effect and the plasma concentration that generates 50 percent of...
01:15Drug Concentration Versus Time Correlation
The plasma drug concentration-time curve is a crucial tool in pharmacokinetics, representing the drug's concentration in plasma at different time intervals post-administration. This curve illustrates the drug's journey from absorption into the systemic circulation, distribution to body tissues, and eventual elimination through excretion or biotransformation.
Two pivotal parameters are the minimum effective concentration (MEC) and the minimum toxic concentration (MTC). The MEC is the lowest drug...
Two pivotal parameters are the minimum effective concentration (MEC) and the minimum toxic concentration (MTC). The MEC is the lowest drug...
01:28IV Infusion to Oral Dosing: Conversion Methods
The development of extended-release formulations has facilitated the transition from intravenous to oral medication, offering a more convenient and patient-friendly approach to drug administration. This transition, however, requires careful management to ensure that therapeutic drug levels are maintained, preserving efficacy and avoiding adverse effects. Understanding pharmacokinetic principles and dosage calculations is critical during this process.Pharmacokinetics of the...
01:15Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...