Read the December 2012 Issue
Oral Fluid Testing
An Alternative Approach to
Monitoring Pain Management
By Anne Z. DePriest, PharmD, BCPS, Julie L. Knight,
PharmD, Brandi L. Puet, PharmD, David L. Black,
PhD, DABFT, FAIC, and Edward J. Cone, PhD
ith the aging population and recognition that
treatment of a patient’s pain is a key healthcare
objective, more patients are taking pain medications
that must be taken consistently to be effective.
But at the same time, many of these same
medications are subject to abuse. These benefits and
dangers drive the need to test for patient compliance.
Immunosuppressive
Drug Monitoring
An Update
By Anthony W. Butch
Clinicians must monitor immunosuppressive
drug levels in organ transplant patients to optimize
their effectiveness and minimize adverse events. As
organ transplantation has become more successful
and widespread, laboratories that support transplant
programs perform therapeutic drug monitoring
(TDM) of many immunosuppressive drugs, including
cyclosporine A, tacrolimus, sirolimus, mycophenolic
acid, and everolimus.
Case History
Desoxypipradrol Intoxication
By Vijay Bhardwaj, MD, and John M. Wilson, PhD
The new “bath salts” and cannabinoid derivatives
that have come on the market in recent years illustrate
the need for laboratories to constantly update
their procedures and databases. Our laboratory experienced
this need when a 17-year-old Caucasian
boy presented disoriented and hallucinating at our
emergency department.
CAP Toxicology Programs
News and Updates
By Glynnis Ingall, MD, PhD
Starting in 2013, the College of American Pathologists
(CAP) will offer two new proficiency testing
(PT) surveys for therapeutic drug monitoring
(TDM) and toxicology—for everolimus and ethanol
biomarkers.