Drugs detected:
Benzodiazepines are extensively metabolised, and generally the parent compounds are not detected in urine.
Because diazepam is a long acting benzodiazepine, its metabolites can be detectable in urine from 1 day to 6 weeks after ingestion, depending on dose and duration of intake.
Diazepam metabolites are nordiazepam, temazepam, and oxazepam therefore their presence together in a urine drug screen result is consistent with diazepam use.
This screening test (immunoassay) detects the following types of benzodiazepine drugs:
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Alprazolam
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Bromazepam
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Chlordiazepoxide
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Clobazam
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Clonazepam
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Diazepam
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Estazolam
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Flunitrazepam
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Flurazepam
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Lorazepam
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Lormetazepam
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Medazepam
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Nitrazepam
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Oxazepam
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Prazepam
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Temazepam
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Triazolam
The benzodiazepine immunoassay screen provides only a preliminary analytical test result for benzodiazepines as a class, and does not differentiate between these individual drugs.
Like all immunoassay based tests, there is the possibility of false positives and false negatives, depending on factors such as urine dilution and the particular drug(s) ingested. For specific patient queries, please contact the laboratory.
IMPORTANT:
Low immunoassay cross reactivity to nitrazepam and clonazepam may cause a false negative screen if low levels are present. To confirm the presence of nitrazepam or clonazepam, please request GCMS or specify these drugs in the clinical details (see below).
Plasma clonazepam levels can also be requested for monitoring compliance. This is analysed by a different highly specific method (LCMS), so false positives and negatives should not occur.
Confirmation and identification of specific benzodiazepines:
Mass spectrometry (MS) analysis is available which can confirm and identify the specific drug.
However, it will
only
be performed if requested to further identify the specific benzodiazepine.
The MS assay at LabPlus can identify:
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Nordiazepam, oxazepam, and temazepam (metabolites of diazepam)
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Lorazepam
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Alpha hydroxyalprazolam (metabolite of alprazolam)
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Alpha hydroxytriazolam (metabolite of triazolam)
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Alpha hydroxymidazolam (metabolite of midazolam)
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7-aminoclonazepam (metabolite of clonazepam)
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7-aminoflunitrazepam (metabolite of flunitrazepam)
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7-aminonitrazepam (metabolite of nitrazepam)
Click on the link below for more information on Drug Screens:
Drug screen -Clinical management
Drug screen- Evidential purposes