Toxicology screen

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Blood test

If a urine sample is used, it involves only normal urination and there is no discomfort.

This test can be used to evaluate possible accidental or intentional overdose or poisoning, such as when there is a need to evaluate the type and amount of legal and illegal drugs used by a person.

The test can be performed to determine the cause of acute drug toxicity, to monitor drug dependency, and to determine the presence of substances in the body (for medical and/or legal purposes). See also: Drug abuse first aid.

If the test is used as a drug screen there is a finite amount of time after ingestion that the drug or any of its metabolites can be detected:

• cocaine
  • 2 to 4 days; up to 10 to 22 days with heavy use
• amphetamines
  • 24 to 48 hours
• heroin
  • 1 to 2 days
• morphine
  • 1 to 2 days
• phencyclidine (PCP)
  • 1 to 8 days
• alcohol
  • 3 to 10 hours
• benzodiazepines
  • up to 6 weeks with high level use
• hydromorphone
  • 1 to 2 days
• tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
  • 6 to 11 weeks with heavy use
• propoxyphene
  • 6 to 48 hours
• methadone
  • 2 to 3 days
• codeine
  • 1 to 2 days
• barbiturates
  • up to 6 weeks

Review Date: 03/02/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel R. Alexander, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.