Metal oxides in drug detection: Material innovations in electrochemical sensor development

Abstract Metal oxide (MO x )‐based electrochemical sensors have emerged as highly effective tools for drug detection, offering several advantages such as high sensitivity, excellent stability, and versatile applications across various drug families. This review explores the use of different MO x s, including iron oxide (Fe 3 O 4 , Fe 2 O 3 ), manganese oxide (MnO 2 , Mn 2 O 3 ), titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), copper oxide (CuO), zinc oxide (ZnO), cobalt oxide (Co 3 O 4 ), nickel oxide (NiO), tungsten oxide (WO 3 ), and vanadium oxide (V 2 O 5 ), in the electrochemical detection of drugs. The sensors based on these materials exhibit outstanding performance, with some achieving detection limits in the low nanomolar to picomolar range, making them ideal for detecting drugs at trace levels in biological fluids. Notably, iron oxide and manganese oxide sensors excel in detecting neurotransmitters, anticancer drugs, and antibiotics. In contrast, cobalt oxide and copper oxide are particularly effective for anti‐inflammatory and analgesic drugs. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sensors demonstrate excellent stability and high sensitivity, making them suitable for clinical diagnostics and environmental monitoring. This review also discusses these sensors' linear range, detection limits, and practical applications in various therapeutic categories. Despite the promising results, challenges remain, such as enhancing sensor selectivity, reducing interference, and improving stability and reproducibility over time. Future advancements in nanocomposite materials and portable sensor technologies hold great potential for the widespread application of MO x ‐based electrochemical sensors in real‐time drug monitoring.