Dried Blood Spots for Testing Drugs of Misuse

Abstract

Testing of drugs of abuse (DOAs) in blood samples is fraught with problems related to instability and half-lives. This calls for alternative sampling methods. Using dried blood spots (DBSs) for this purpose appears to be a promising approach. DBS techniques are in regular use to screen new-borns for metabolic disorders, in epidemiological studies and in toxicology. DBSs being used to detect the presence of DOAs is now increasingly being recognised since the development of sensitive detection techniques. The present chapter provides an overview of the use of DBS sampling methods for testing of DOAs, including DBS sample collection, storage and transportation. The techniques involved and the factors that may influence the accuracy and reproducibility of the DBS methods for the determination of DOAs are presented. The stability of DOAs in DBSs is also discussed and the advantages and disadvantages of DBSs for drug testing purposes are considered.