Drugs of Abuse Screen

Clinical Chemistry

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Description

The screen incorporates the drug groups which are/have been commonly abused in the UK, and also opioid substitution therapies, and markers of "street" opiates. The compounds detected are:
Opiates - morphine, codeine, dihydrocodeine, oxycodone, 6-monoacetylmorphine, diacetylmorphine.
Methadone and its metabolite EDDP.
Amphetamines - amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), mephedrone.
Benzodiazepines - diazepam, nordiazepam, chlordiazepoxide, nitrazepam and its metabolite 7-aminonitrazepam, temazepam, oxazepam, 7-aminoclonazepam, adinazolam,
a-hydroxytriazolam, alprazolam, bentazepam,
bromazepam, bromazolam, cinazepam, cinolazepam,
clobazam, clobromazolam, clonazepam, clonazolam,
delorazepam, desalkylgidazepam, deschloroetizolam,
diclazepam, estazolam, etizolam, flualprazolam,
flubromazepam, flubromazolam, fluclotizolam,
flunitrazepam, flunitrazolam, flurazepam,
lorazepam, lormetazepam, meclonazepam, methylclonazepam,
metizolam, midazolam, N-desmethylclobazam,
N-desalkylflurazepam, phenazepam, prazepam,
promethazine, pyrazolam, thionordiazpam, tofisopam,
triazolam.
Buprenorphine and its metabolite norbuprenorphine.
Cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine.
Cannabinoids.
Gabapentin.
Pregabalin.
Tramadol.
Ketamine.
"Street" opiate marker: noscapine.

For those compounds listed as drug classes (e.g. opiates), the result for the drug class will be displayed as positive or negative on the report. Where specific compounds are detected which are above the screening cut-off concentration, these will be displayed separately on the report, indicating the predominate compounds present within the class of drug.

Detecting the presence of these drugs in the urine is an aid to the management of drug abusers under reduction regimes as well as in management of pregnant women.

The routine drugs of abuse screen will not normally include barbiturates, if screening for barbiturates is required, please contact the toxicology laboratory.

If screening for any compound not listed here is required, please request a “Full Urine Drug Screen” on ICE or by paper request, and specify the drug of interest. Please see the entry for Toxicology/drug screen in suspected poisoning (Full urine drug screen) for further details.

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Indications

In this laboratory, urine screening for drugs of abuse is primarily provided as a means of monitoring drug misusers on treatment regimes or in management of pregnant women with a history of illicit drug use.

The use of the test in the emergency setting is of limited value and is of little merit in the treatment of overdose. In these cases, the Full Urine Drug Screen is a more appropriate test. Please see the lab handbook entry for Toxicology/drug screen in suspected poisoning (Full urine drug screen) for further details.

Results provided by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals are for clinical purposes only. Results are not suitable for and should not be used for medico-legal purposes.

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Sample Type

Random urine (no preservative) (white top), at least 1 mL

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Reference Range

Not applicable

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Turnaround Time

Within 1 week

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Testing Frequency

Weekly

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Patient Preparation

Where possible the patient/client should be chaperoned to limit the opportunity to adulterate or exchange the urine sample.

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Please note: the above information is subject to change and we endeavour to keep this website up to date wherever necessary.