Lab Test

Benzodiazepine Confirmation, Urine

Valium, Librium, Xanax, Ativan, Tranxene, Serax, Halcion

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1230975, BNZCF

Department

Toxicology

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: 50 mL random urine in a screw-capped container (preferred) or other sterile collection cup with no preservative. (Minimum: 30 mL)

  • Refrigerate the specimen immediately after collection.
  • Record the exact time of specimen collection on the container or in the computer system.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Maintain specimen refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 50 mL urine, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 30 mL)

Rejection Criteria

  • Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.
  • Urine Vacutainer® tubes. Urine received in a glass or plastic tube with a rubber stopper may contain insufficient sample volume, preclude confirmatory testing, and give rise to contaminants and artifacts. 

In-Lab Processing

Analyze specimen immediately upon receipt in the Laboratory.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 72 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 3 months

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Canton Main Laboratory
Dearborn Toxicology Laboratory
Farmington Hills Toxicology Laboratory 
Grosse Pointe Toxicology Laboratory 
Lenox Main Laboratory
Livonia Main Laboratory
Royal Oak Toxicology Laboratory 
Troy Toxicology Laboratory
Taylor Toxicology Laboratory
Trenton Toxicology Laboratory
Wayne Toxicology Laboratory 

NOTE: Screens are performed at Canton, Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Royal Oak, Taylor, Trenton, Troy and Wayne. All confirmations are performed at Royal Oak Toxicology Laboratory. 

Performed

Results available within 3-5 business days of receipt .

Reference Range

Negative.
Positive cutoff: 200 ng/mL.

Test Methodology

Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS).
Note: Confirmation performed at Royal Oak only.

The confirmation component of this test was developed by Beaumont Health. It has not been cleared or approved by the FDA. The laboratory is regulated under CLIA as qualified to perform high-complexity testing. This test is used for clinical purposes and should not be regarded as investigational or for research.

Interpretation

Drugs identified: Clonazepam, Diazepam, Oxazepam, Temazepam, Nordiazepam, Chlordiazepoxide, Midazolam, Alprazolam,  Clobazam, Estazolam, Lorazepam, Alphahydroxytriazolam, Flurazepam, Flunitrazepam.

Clinical Utility

This assay is used to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of benzodiazepine use or abuse. This assay provides a preliminary analytical result. Positive results are confirmed by chromatographic methods. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants composed of over 20 compounds. They are used clinically as sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, muscle relaxants, antiepileptics, and in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines are extensively metabolized with half-lives ranging from 1 to 100 hours. Urine levels vary due to each patient's metabolic and excretion rates.

CPT Codes

80347
LOINC: 70142-5, 46976-7

Contacts

Last Updated

7/21/2024

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