Measurement of phencyclidine in saliva

Following intraperitoneal injection of phencyclidine in the rat, concentrations ranged from 148 to 1364 ng/mL in saliva (mean +/- SD, 567 +/- 415) and from 196 to 1016 ng/mL in corresponding serum samples (mean +/- SD, 502 +/- 231). Phencyclidine concentrations in saliva showed no significant correlation with those in serum, and saliva concentrations were occasionally higher than serum concentrations. The saliva:serum concentration ratios ranged from 0.4 to 3.0. Since hypersalivation is common in man and animals after phencyclidine ingestion, measurement of the compound in saliva may provide a useful alternative to serum and urine which are not always available for analysis.