The detection of drug levels in saliva and tears is revolutionising the monitoring of medical treatments. These non-invasive techniques offer numerous advantages for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Drug detection in saliva
Collecting saliva samples is easy and noninvasive. Patients simply spit into a container or chew a piece of cotton to obtain the sample. This process avoids the discomfort associated with drawing blood.
Drug detection can be done by different methods. Immunoassays and chromatography are the main techniques used.
Immunoassays identify the presence of drugs through antigen-antibody reactions. Gas or liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS or LC-MS) offers precision and sensitivity in drug quantification.
These techniques are used in a variety of areas. In treatment monitoring, they ensure that the patient is taking their medication. In other areas, such as sports or justice, these methods are used to test for the presence of drugs in the body.
Drug detection in tears
Tear harvesting is a noninvasive technique that uses microfluidic devices and biosensors to capture and analyze small samples. These devices facilitate the detection of drugs even in minimal volumes of tears. In addition, through Raman spectroscopy, they identify and quantify the chemical compounds present in tears.
This method is especially useful in monitoring ocular and systemic diseases. Pharmacological researchers also employ these techniques to assess drug penetration and distribution in the body.
Advantages of using these methods
These are techniques that offer multiple advantages, both for the professional and for the patient. It is a non-invasive collection that reduces the risk of infections and is much more comfortable. In addition, they provide accurate and reliable results.
Patients prefer non-invasive methods. This collection does not require specialized medical personnel, which also simplifies the process.
Advances in sensor technologies and analytical methods are improving day by day. Drug detection and quantification in saliva and tears will become increasingly accurate and accessible. Improvements in microfluidics, biosensors and spectroscopic techniques are driving this evolution.
In this way, not only do patients benefit, but the work of healthcare professionals is also made easier. The ability to monitor drug levels in a simple and effective way transforms medical care.
They are noninvasive methods that offer comfort, precision and safety, improving the quality of therapeutic monitoring. With continued technological advancement, these techniques will continue to evolve, providing better tools for medical care and pharmacological research.
