Table 3 Toxicological assays
From: Management of pharmaceutical and recreational drug poisoning
| Dosing methods | Interest/limits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Immunological | Plasma or serum | Acetaminophen, salicylic acid (active metabolite of acetylsalicylic acid), digoxin, valproic acid |
Automated assays (available in less than 120 min) Few potential interferences (kit-dependent) |
| Specific electrodes | Plasma (without lithium heparin as anticoagulant) or serum | Lithium | |
| LC–MS/MS or GC–MS | Plasma or serum | Acetaminophen, salicylic acid (active metabolite of acetylsalicylic acid), digoxin, valproic acid |
No interference Not automated, cannot be used in an emergency |
| Flame photometer | Plasma or total blood (erythrocyte assay) | Lithium | |
