Toxicology screen

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Blood test

Barbiturates - screen; Benzodiazepines - screen; Amphetamines - screen; Analgesics - screen; Antidepressants - screen; Narcotics - screen; Methanol - screen; Phenothiazines - screen; Isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) - screen; Drug abuse screen; Blood alcohol test

"Normal" levels vary according to the institution performing the test.

Blood can be tested for the presence and levels (amounts) of medications. Urine screening is usually reported as positive (substance is present) or negative (absent), but the level of certain substances can also be measured fairly accurately in urine.

Therapeutic levels are measured for prescribed or over-the-counter medications (see the specific medication).

Alcohol, prescription medications that are not prescribed, and illegal drugs are not normally present.

The presence of illegal drugs or drugs not prescribed for the person indicates illicit drug use.

Elevated levels of alcohol or prescription drugs can indicate intentional or accidental intoxication and/or overdose.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• alcohol withdrawal state
• alcoholism
• drug abuse monitoring
• analgesic nephropathy
• at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome
• complicated alcohol abstinence (delirium tremens)
• delirium
• dementia
• stroke secondary to cocaine

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.