Related Experiment Videos
Sweat testing for heroin, cocaine, and metabolites
E J Cone1, M J Hillsgrove, A J Jenkins
1Addiction Research Center, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|October 1, 1994
Summary
This study monitored cocaine and heroin excretion in sweat using patches. Drug levels in sweat showed dose dependency and high intersubject variability, with forensic and monitoring implications.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Pharmacokinetics
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Limited data exists on drug excretion in sweat under controlled conditions.
- Understanding drug and metabolite presence in sweat is crucial for forensic analysis and monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the identity, concentration, time course, dose dependency, and variability of cocaine and heroin excretion in human sweat.
- To evaluate the utility of sweat patches for drug monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Clinical studies involving single-dose administration of cocaine and heroin to human subjects.
- Collection of sweat using wearable patches over several days to weeks.
- Analysis of sweat patches using gas chromatography--mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Main Results:
- Cocaine and heroin were the primary analytes detected in sweat.
- Cocaine showed dose-dependent excretion, appearing within 1-2 hours and peaking at 24 hours.
- High intersubject variability but low intrasubject variability in drug excretion was observed.
- Evidence of heroin hydrolysis to 6-acetylmorphine within the sweat patch was noted.
Conclusions:
- Sweat analysis provides valuable data on drug excretion patterns with forensic implications, particularly for hair analysis.
- The sweat patch is a viable tool for monitoring drug use in individuals undergoing treatment or probation.