Toxicology screen

Toxicology screening is most often done using a blood or urine sample. However, it may be done soon after the person swallowed the medicine, using stomach contents taken through gastric lavage (stomach pumping) or after vomiting.

No special preparation is needed. If you are able, tell your health care provider what drugs (including prescription and over-the-counter medicines) you have taken, including when you took them and how much you consumed. This test is sometimes part of an investigation for drug use or abuse. Special consents, handling…

Blood 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.

This 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, monitor drug dependency, and determine the presence of substances in the body for medical or legal purposes. Additional…

Normal value ranges for over-the-counter or prescription medicines may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. A negative value most often means that alcohol, prescription medicines that have not been prescribed, and illegal drugs have not been…

Elevated 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 . Some legal prescription and over-the-counter medicines may interact with the testing chemicals and…

Risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include: Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Substances that may be detected on a toxicology screen include: Alcohol (ethanol) -- "drinking" alcohol Amphetamines Antidepressants Barbiturates and hypnotics Benzodiazepines Cocaine Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) Marijuana Narcotics Non-narcotic pain medicines, including acetaminophen and…

Bluth MH, Pincus MR, Abraham NZ. Toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 24. Langman LJ, Bechtel LK, Holstege CP. Clinical toxicology. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I,…