Segmental Hair Analysis-Interpretation of the Time of Drug Intake in Two Patients Undergoing Drug Treatment

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Forensic Sciences
Volume64
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)950-955
ISSN0022-1198
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2019

    Research areas

  • forensic science, forensic toxicology, hair, retrospective monitoring, segmental analysis, therapy compliance

ID: 204341139