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A toxicology screen refers to various tests to determine the type and approximate amount of legal and illegal drugs a person has taken.
Alternative NamesBarbiturates - screen; Benzodiazepines - screen; Amphetamines - screen; Analgesics - screen; Antidepressants - screen; Narcotics - screen; Phenothiazines - screen; Drug abuse screen; Blood alcohol test
How the test is performedToxicology screening is most often done using a blood or urine sample. However, it may be done soon after swallowing the medication, using stomach contents that are obtained through gastric lavage or after vomiting.
For information on giving a blood sample from a vein, see venipuncture.
For information providing a urine sample, see clean catch urine sample. In some circumstances, you may need to provide the urine sample in the presence of the nurse or technician to verify that the urine sample came from you and was not tampered with.
How to prepare for the testNo special preparation is needed. If able, tell your health care provider what drugs (including over-the-counter medications) you have taken, including when and how much.
This test is sometimes part of an investigation for drug use or abuse. Special consents, handling and labeling of specimens, or other special procedures may be required.
How the test will feelBlood test:
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Urine test:
A urine test involves normal urination. There is no discomfort.
Why the test is performedThis test is often done in emergency medical situations. It can be used to evaluate possible accidental or intentional overdose or poisoning. It may help determine the cause of acute drug toxicity, to monitor drug dependency, and to determine the presence of substances in the body for medical or legal purposes.
Additional reasons the test may be performed:
- Alcoholism
- Alcohol withdrawal state
- Altered mental state
- Analgesic nephropathy
- Complicated alcohol abstinence (delirium tremens)
- Delirium
- Dementia
- Drug abuse monitoring
- Fetal alcohol syndrome
- Intentional overdose
- Seizures
- Stroke secondary to cocaine
- Unconscious patient
If the test is used as a drug screen, it must be done during a certain time period after the drug has been taken or while forms of the drug can still be detected in the body. Examples are below:
- Alcohol: 3 to 10 hours
- Amphetamines: 24 to 48 hours
- Barbiturates: up to 6 weeks
- Benzodiazepines: up to 6 weeks with high level use
- Cocaine: 2 to 4 days; up to 10 to 22 days with heavy use
- Codeine: 1 to 2 days
- Heroin: 1 to 2 days
- Hydromorphone: 1 to 2 days
- Methadone: 2 to 3 days
- Morphine: 1 to 2 days
- Phencyclidine (PCP): 1 to 8 days
- Propoxyphene: 6 to 48 hours
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): 6 to 11 weeks with heavy use
Normal value ranges for over-the-counter or prescription medications may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
A negative value usually means that alcohol, prescription medications that have not been prescribed, and illegal drugs have not been detected.
A blood toxicology screen can determine the presence and level (amount) of a drug in your body.
Urine sample results are usually reported as positive (substance is found) or negative (no substance is found).
What abnormal results meanElevated levels of alcohol or prescription drugs can be a sign of intentional or accidental intoxication or overdose.
The presence of illegal drugs or drugs not prescribed for the person indicates illicit drug use.
What the risks areVeins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Commonly found substances on a toxicology screen include:
- Alcohol (ethanol) -- "drinking" alcohol
- Amphetamines
- Antidepressants
- Barbiturates and hypnotics
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Narcotics
- Non-narcotic pain medicines including acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory drugs
- PCP
- Phenothiazines (antipsychotic or tranquilizing medications)
- Prescription medications, any type
Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM. Toxicology and pharmacology. In: Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. Columbus, OH: McGraw-Hill; 2006:section 14.
McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 23.
What else can I help you with?
What is a toxicology blood test?
A toxicology blood test, also known as a toxicology screen, is a test that analyzes blood samples to identify the presence of drugs or alcohol in the body. It is commonly used in emergency medicine, forensic investigations, and workplace drug testing to assess drug use or poisoning.
Could a positive amphetamine result on a toxicology screen mean methamphetamine was used?
Yes, a positive amphetamine result on a toxicology screen could indicate the use of methamphetamine since methamphetamine falls under the amphetamine category. Additional testing would be needed to specifically identify the presence of methamphetamine.
Will phenytoin produce a non negative drug test result?
Phenytoin is not a commonly tested drug in standard drug screening panels, so it is unlikely that it would trigger a false positive result in a drug test. However, confirmatory testing can distinguish between different drugs, including phenytoin, if necessary.
Can you use polystyrene with polyvinyl alcohol polyvinyl acetate to make screen photo emulsion?
Polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyvinyl acetate are not typically used in screen printing emulsions. Screen emulsions are usually made from light-sensitive compounds like diazo or photopolymer emulsions. These compounds provide the necessary properties for the emulsion to adhere to the screen and create a durable stencil for printing.
Device that uses electrons to produce images on a screen?
A cathode ray tube (CRT) television or computer monitor converts electrical signals into a beam of high-speed electrons that strike a phosphor-coated screen, creating images. The beam scans line by line across the screen to produce the visual display.
What vacuum tube is used for toxicology drug screen?
Red/black
What is a toxicology blood test?
A toxicology blood test, also known as a toxicology screen, is a test that analyzes blood samples to identify the presence of drugs or alcohol in the body. It is commonly used in emergency medicine, forensic investigations, and workplace drug testing to assess drug use or poisoning.
Could a positive amphetamine result on a toxicology screen mean methamphetamine was used?
Yes, a positive amphetamine result on a toxicology screen could indicate the use of methamphetamine since methamphetamine falls under the amphetamine category. Additional testing would be needed to specifically identify the presence of methamphetamine.
Does geodon show up on a drug screen?
Not on a typical drug screen, which screens for cocaine, opiates, marijuana, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates. However, if the test is a full toxicology screen, metabolites of geodon may show up.
What does oxycodone show up as?
Oxycodone is an opioid drug used for pain control. In a drug toxicology screen its metabolites will result in a positive test for opiates.
Are there any environmental application for ELISA?
Besides the applications in detection of diseases, ELISA is used in the food industry for detecting potential food allergens and in toxicology as a rapid presumptive screen for certain classes of drugs.
What caused the death of Umaga?
Eki "Umaga" Fatu was a world class wrestler. He died due to acute toxicity at age 36. His toxicology screen revealed the combined effects of hydrocodone, carisoprodol and diazepam directly lead to his death.
Does citralopram show up on a drug screen?
If it's being screened for, then yes. "A drug screen" is not a single test, it's a battery of specific tests for specific drugs or drug families. I'm not sure why anyone would screen for SSRIs, but it's technically possible to do.
How can a prosecutor prove impairment in driving under the influence of prescription medication?
This would be rather difficult to prove. i would say that the best way is to question the person about how many pills he took, and ask their doctor/pharmicist what the dosage is. When he was pulled over, they should have had a tox. screen (toxicology screen) done to see how many drugs they have taken. if he wasnt pulled over, find a material wittness. go from there. hope this helps!
Will phenytoin produce a non negative drug test result?
Phenytoin is not a commonly tested drug in standard drug screening panels, so it is unlikely that it would trigger a false positive result in a drug test. However, confirmatory testing can distinguish between different drugs, including phenytoin, if necessary.
Will antibiotics show up on a drug screen?
On a typical drug screen, no, antibiotics will not be seen. Depending on the particular screen, the antibiotic or metabolites might show up on an expanded drug screen or toxicology screen. There are some hair tests that can detect a very wide variety of drugs and medications.
What does xanax show up as drug screen?
Xanax, or alprazolam, shows up as a benzodiazepine on a drug screen. If the drug screen has a separate toxicology section, it may show alprazolam metabolites specifically. If they are testing for BZD's in general will there be any difference as to how each (clono & XANAX) show up on the tox screen?
