Does Sertraline appear in a blood test? (+3 reasons why)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
This article answers the question, “Does Sertraline appear in a blood test?”. We will also discuss the reasons for this test, some factors that influence Sertraline detection and whether can sertraline appear in drug tests.
Does Sertraline appear in a blood test?
Yes, Sertraline can appear in a blood test. The half-life of Sertraline is 26 hours, and it is detectable in the bloodstream for up to 5 days. A Sertraline blood test is conducted to measure the levels of both Sertraline and its primary metabolite, desmethylsertraline in blood. (1,2)
Sertraline can also be detected through saliva, urine and hair tests, but a blood test is considered more reliable. Interestingly, Sertraline can sometimes give false positive results in standard drug tests. (4)
Sertraline, commonly known by the brand name Zoloft, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. It is commonly prescribed to address various mental health conditions such as depression, OCD, mood and anxiety disorders. (3)
Why Sertraline blood test is performed?
The Sertraline blood test is conducted for several reasons. The most common reason is to assess the levels of Sertraline in the body to ensure the safety and efficacy of treatment.
While the exact therapeutic concentration range for Sertraline is not definitively established, it is generally proposed to fall between 10-150ng/ml. Concentrations below 10 ng/ml indicate reduced effectiveness, while concentrations above 150 ng/ml pose a potential risk of toxicity. (1)
By performing this blood test, healthcare professionals can determine whether a patient is adhering to their prescribed regimen, and if the medication is present within the therapeutic range.
This information helps in optimizing sertraline therapy. This also allows the healthcare team to keep a check on misuse or overuse of Sertraline in high-risk patients.
Can Sertaline show up on a drug test?
Sertraline typically does not appear on standard 5 or 10-panel drug tests because it is a prescription medicine, and antidepressants are not classified as drugs of abuse.
However, Sertraline can occasionally yield a false positive result due to cross-reactivity for; (4)
- Benzodiazepine
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSA)
To proactively prevent such situations, it is advisable to inform the testing technician or facility if you are taking Sertraline. Keep a record of your prescription to present in case of a false positive test.
Certain employers or institutions might include drug testing as a standard procedure during hiring or as an ongoing employment requirement.
In such situations, it may be necessary for you to openly communicate any prescription medications you are currently using, including Sertraline, before undergoing the testing process.
Factors that may influence Sertraline detection in blood
Several factors can influence the detection of Sertraline levels in blood. These factors may contribute to the false detection of Sertraline in drug tests.
- Overdose: In the case of sertraline overdose, the concentration of the drug in the bloodstream can significantly increase, making it easier to detect in blood tests. (2)
- Chronic use: People who regularly use Sertraline over an extended period may have consistently higher levels of medicines in their system
- Age-related variations: Age can impact sertraline metabolism. Older individuals may exhibit elevated serum concentrations due to slow metabolism. (1)
- Individual variations: Variations in how individuals metabolize Sertraline can affect its concentration in the bloodstream. Some people may metabolize the drug more quickly or slowly than others, impacting the time it remains detectable in blood tests.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sertraline levels are detectable in blood tests. Such blood tests are ordered to ensure patient adherence to the prescribed dose and to prevent misuse of the drug. Sertraline can also show up in blood as a false positive for drug tests, although it does not happen often. Certain factors increase the chance of Sertraline detection, such as chronic use and old age.
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