Segmental Hair Analysis—Interpretation of the Time of Drug Intake in Two Patients Undergoing Drug Treatment
-
-
[1] Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.Denmark
-
- Localización: Journal of forensic sciences, ISSN-e 1556-4029, ISSN 0022-1198, Vol. 64, Nº. 3, 2019, págs. 950-955
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
-
Resumen
The present study involved segmental testing of hair in two clinical cases with known dosage histories. Hair analysis confirmed the first patient’s exposure to the prescribed sertraline and citalopram for several months. Citalopram was generally distributed along the hair shaft in accordance with the drug ingestion period. By contrast, “false” positive results were observed for sertraline in distal hair segments, corresponding to a period of no sertraline exposure, which may indicate incorporation from sweat or sebum, which transport the drugs along the hair surface. The second patient received various drugs during her treatment for brain cancer. Metoclopramide, morphine, oxazepam, paracetamol, sumatriptan, tramadol, and zopiclone, which had been part of the therapy, were all detected in the proximal hair segment. The results of these two cases indicated that results—especially concerning the time of drug intake—must be interpreted with caution and allow for the possibility of incorporation from sweat or sebum.
