Hair Analysis for Drugs of Abuse: Evaluation of Analytical Methods, Environmental Issues, and Development of Reference Materials*

Abstract Purpose To demonstrate the usefulness of hair testing to determine exposure pattern to fentanyls. Methods A 43-year-old male was found unconscious with respiratory depression 15 min after snorting 3 mg of a powder labeled as butyrylfentanyl. He was discharged from hospital within 2 days without blood or urine testing. Two locks of hair were sampled 1 month (M1 A: 0–2 cm (overdose time frame); B: 2–4 cm; C: 4–6 cm) and 1 year (Y1: A: 0–2 cm; B: 2–4 cm) later to monitor his exposure to drugs of abuse by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry after liquid-liquid extraction. Results Hair analysis at M1 showed a repetitive exposure to 3-fluorofentanyl (A/B/C: 150/80/60 pg/mg) with higher concentration in segment A reflecting the overdose period. The non-detection of butyrylfentanyl was consistent with the analysis of the recovered powder identified as 3-fluorofentanyl. Furanylfentanyl (40/20/15 pg/mg) and fentanyl (37/25/3 pg/mg) were also detected in hair. The second hair analysis at Y1 showed the use of three new fentanyls, with probably repetitive exposures to methoxyacetylfentanyl (A/B: 500/600 pg/mg), and single or few exposures to carfentanil (2.5/3 pg/mg) and acetyl fentanyl (1/1 pg/mg). A decreasing exposure to 3-fluorofentanyl (25/80 pg/mg), and increasing consumption of furanylfentanyl (310/500 pg/mg) and fentanyl (620/760 pg/mg) were also observed despite methadone treatment initiation. The patient claimed not consuming three out of the six detected fentanyls. Conclusions We report single or repetitive exposure to several fentanyls using hair testing. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of 3-fluorofentanyl and methoxyacetylfentanyl in hair samples collected from an authentic abuser.

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From Parochial to International

Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL ◽

10.1093/jaoac/72.1.1 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 72 (1) ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Alex Williams

Keyword(s):

Quality Assurance ◽

Reference Materials ◽

Analytical Methods ◽

Certified Reference Materials ◽

Analytical Measurement ◽

Require Data

Abstract The customers for analytical measurement services have international requirements; they require data of proven validity that will be accepted internationally. This means that well researched and tested analytical methods must gain better international acceptance. The methods should be capable of producing results to the accuracy required by the customer. They need to be supported by the use of appropriate certified reference materials, and the analyst, in reporting results, should give an estimate of the accuracy obtained. In addition, an independent accreditation is needed of the quality assurance procedures of the laboratory to assure customers that the analytical methods have been used correctly.

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Development of the Analytical Methods and Reference Materials Program for Dietary Supplements at The National Institutes of Health

Journal of AOAC International ◽

10.1093/jaoac/87.1.162 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 87 (1) ◽

pp. 162-165 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Leila G Saldanha ◽

Joseph M Betz ◽

Paul M Coates

Keyword(s):

Quality Control ◽

Dietary Supplements ◽

Reference Materials ◽

Analytical Methods ◽

Research Agenda ◽

Control Unit ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Good Manufacturing Practices ◽

The U.S

Abstract The need for validated analytical methods and reference materials to identify and measure constituents in dietary supplements is essential. Such methods allow for the documentation that products meet manufacturer's specifications and contain what their labels declare. In March 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a proposed rule that would establish specific current good manufacturing practices for dietary supplements. This proposed rule requires that companies create a quality control unit to set specifications and ensure compliance with these specifications using scientifically valid procedures. This report provides insights and lessons learned from 3 meetings the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health helped organize. These meetings were structured to (1) educate individuals about the importance and need for validated analytical methods and reference materials to identify and quantify constituents of dietary supplements; (2) identify resources required to fulfill this need; and (3) serve as a platform to obtain input from interested parties to help frame the research agenda for the Dietary Supplements Methods and Reference Materials Program within ODS. Stakeholder's opinions and views expressed at these 3 meetings are outlined in this report.

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