Correlation of Saliva Cocaine Levels with Plasma Levels and with Pharmacologic Effects after Intravenous Cocaine Administration in Human Subjects

Abstract

The behavioral and physiologic effects of single, intravenous bolus doses of cocaine in 5 male human subjects were correlated with cocaine levels in saliva and blood. All measures were performed under double-blind conditions. Two test doses of cocaine (15 mg and 40 mg) and one placebo test dose were administered to each subject in a random, cross-over design. Each test day was separated by a minimum of 48 h. Cocaine levels in saliva and blood significantly (p less than or equal to 0.05) correlated with responses on self-rating scales for drug sensation (Feel Drug scale), psychotomimetic effects (LSD scale), and feelings of rush (Rush scale). Significant (p less than or equal to 0.01) correlations also were obtained with cocaine biofluid levels and pulse rate. The close relationship observed between cocaine saliva levels and cocaine-induced behavior and physiologic effects presents the opportunity for development of a new noninvasive method for detection of current cocaine use.

Oral fluid as an alternative matrix to monitor opiate and cocaine use in substance-abuse treatment patients

“…Cocaine, with or without metabolites, was identified in oral fluid after intravenous (Cone et al, 1988;Cone et al, 1997;Jenkins et al, 1995;Kato et al, 1993;Thompson et al, 1987), smoked Cone et al, 1997;Jenkins et al, 1995), intranasal (Cone, 1993;Cone et al, 1997) and oral (Jufer et al, 2000) administration, as well as, during withdrawal (Cone and Weddington, 1989;Moolchan et al, 2000). The primary analyte was cocaine followed by BE and EME, the major metabolites of cocaine; AEME was identified in oral fluid after smoked cocaine exposure (Cone et al, 1997;Jenkins et al, 1995;Moolchan et al, 2000).…”

Relationship Between Oral Fluid and Blood Concentrations of Drugs of Abuse in Drivers Suspected of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

“…It is also difficult to obtain sufficient sample volume for the analysis 6 , and the concentrations of benzodiazepines in this matrix are low 4 . Some correlation between oral fluid drug concentrations and impairment has been described 4,7,8,9,10 . In addition, Toennes et al 11 demonstrate that oral fluid is superior to urine in correlating with serum analytical data and impairment symptoms of drivers under the influence of drugs of abuse.…”

Cocaine Pharmacokinetics in Men and in Women During the Follicular and Luteal Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

“…Since 1977, 11 studies have been conducted with a total of 76 subjects (Barnett et al 1981;Chow et al 1985;Cone 1995;Cone et al 1988;Cook et al 1985;Evans et al 1996;Isenschmid et al 1992;Javaid et al 1978Javaid et al , 1983Jeffcoat et al 1989;Kogan et al 1977). The most recent studies were conducted with six males (Cone 1995) and nine males (Evans et al 1996).…”