Drug Monitoring, Barbiturates, Quantitative, Urine : 39387

QBARBU or 39387

Prescription Drug Monitoring, Pain Management

Amobarbital, Butalbital, Pentobarbital, Secobarbital, Phenobarbital

Preferred Specimen
20 mL urine in clinical drug test transport vial

Alternative Specimen
Urine collected in urine collection container

Minimum Volume
5 mL

Room temperature.

Room temperature: 14 days; Refrigerated: 14 days; Frozen: 30 days

Preserved samples

Varies

Varies

This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

The barbiturate class of drugs are substances that are traditionally classified as sedatives. Their principle uses are to calm the patient, produce drowsiness, and/or promote sleep. They are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. The test is a definitive assay using gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) methodology. Therapeutic urine drug monitoring of the barbiturates is important for ensuring compliance to treatment strategies, as well as ensuring non-diversion for illicit purposes. Urine or oral fluid are the specimens of choice for routine monitoring of patients taking prescription drugs. Use of serum/plasma should be limited to anuretic patients, or where a patient's clinical appearance does not coincide with their prescribed medications. No single monitoring approach provides adequate information about the pattern or dose of patient drug use. Safest prescribing habits should include a combination of tools and laboratory test results to correctly detect drug use patterns. Quantitative values cannot be used to assess the drug dose, because the drug is extensively metabolized and excreted in the urine. Quantitative values cannot be used to assess the drug dose, because the drug is extensively metabolized and excreted in the urine.