Monitoring saliva concentrations of methaqualone, codeine, secobarbital, diphenhydramine and diazepam after single oral doses.

A preliminary investigation was undertaken to determine the feasibility of monitoring saliva levels of drugs for forensic purposes. Single oral doses of the title compounds were administered to healthy volunteers. Plasma and saliva levels were measured and ratios calculated for all drugs except diazepam. Saliva/plasma ratios for methaqualone, diphenhydramine and secobarbital were all less than one and reasonably consistent between collection times and subjects. The saliva/plasma ratios for codeine were more variable, but always greater than one. Although more detailed investigation is necessary, saliva may be a useful medium for forensic monitoring of drug ingestion.