'STANDARD' QUALITATIVE 'UNKNOWN' DRUG SCREEN:
SPECIFIC SUBSTANCES AND GROUPS OF DRUGS AND EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC SUBSTANCES WHICH MAY BE DETECTED IN URINE*
| GROUP | EXAMPLES |
| Alcohols (and acetone) | Ethanol, methanol, isopropanol |
| Salicylate | Aspirin, methylsalicylate |
| Paracetamol | Paracetamol |
| Benzodiazepines | Diazepam, temazepam |
| Barbiturates | Phenobarbitone, amylobarbitone, quinalbarbitone |
| Amphetamines + sympathomimetics | Amphetamines, ephedrine, MDMA ("Ecstasy"), MDA, MDEA |
| Opiates | Codeine, morphine, dihydrocodeine |
| Opioids | Methadone, dextropropoxyphene, pethidine |
| Tricyclic and related antidepressants | Dothiepin, imipramine, amitriptyline |
| Other antidepressants | Fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, trazadone, tranylcypromine, trazadone,venlafaxine, citalopram, paroxetine, sertraline |
| ß-blockers (some) | Propranolol, timolol |
| Anti-arrhythmics | Verapamil, disopyramide |
| Antimalarials | Quinine, chloroquine |
| Anti-Parkinsonism drugs | Procyclidine, orphenadrine |
| Phenothiazines | Chlorpromazine, thioridazine |
| Anticonvulsants | Phenytoin, carbamazepine |
| Pheniramines and some other antihistamines | Chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, mequitazine, promethazine, cyclizine |
| Trichloro-compounds | Chloral, (trichloroethylene) |
| Miscellaneous | Chlormethiazole, nefopam, trimethoprim, zopiclone, metoclopramide |
*Ethanol will also be measured quantitatively provided that a suitable blood or urine specimen is provided.
NOTES:
The "turn-around-time" for an urgent "standard" qualitative drug screen is normally 1-2 hours from the receipt of the specimen by the Laboratory. (Please note that surcharges for "within-hours" urgent requests and out-of-hours requests are made).
An extended description of the Unknown Drug Screening procedure may be obtained form the laboratory upon request.
Minimum sample requirements: 30ml Urine + 10ml Blood (see also the table of Assay Availability & Sample Requirement)
More extensive drug/poison screening tests and quantitative analyses may be carried out on individual cases, depending on the history and clinical indications. These additional tests include: cyanide, glycols, diuretics, chlorphenoxy herbicides, laxatives, paraquat, volatile solvents and gases, heavy metals etc.
Please also see the special protocol for the investigation of spiked drinks.