Citation

Nanji AA, Lawrence AH. Int. J. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. Toxicol. 1988; 26(1): 1-3.

Affiliation

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Dustri-Verlag Feistle)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3403087

Abstract

We compared the efficacy of skin surface air sampling with thin layer chromatography (TLC) in detecting drugs in patients admitted to hospital with a history of drug overdose. The methodology utilizes air samples in contact with skin surfaces and ion-mobility spectrometry. Fifty patients consented to skin surface air sampling and provided urine samples. Of the 51 drugs identified in 43 patients, air sampling detected just over 50% of the drugs, TLC identified about 90%. The rate of identification was greater in patients ingesting uncoated tablets. Skin surface air sampling is a useful initial screening method for drugs especially when they are ingested in tablet or powder form. The methodology is rapid, noninvasive and can screen for multiple drugs.

Language: en