Amphetamines, Urine screen UDRG4

• Urine specimens may be collected in plastic (i.e., polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene) or glass containers. Some plastics, other than those listed, can adsorb certain drugs.
• If not analyzed immediately, specimens may be stored at room temperature at 15 - 25^o C for up to 7 days following collection. After 7 days, specimens should be stored frozen at <= -20^o C. Frozen specimens must be completely thawed and mixed thoroughly prior to analysis.
• Specimens with high turbidity should be centrifuged before analysis. The recommended pH range for urine specimens is 3.0 - 11.0. Adulteration of the urine specimen may cause erroneous results. If adulteration is suspected, obtain another specimen. Human urine specimens should be handled and treated as if they are potentially infectious.

Amphetamines are central nervous system stimulants that produce wakefulness, alertness, increased energy, reduced hunger, and an overall feeling of wellbeing. The term amphetamine refers to a group of drugs that includes d-amphetamine, d-methamphetamine (the N-methyl derivative of amphetamine), d,l-amphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Amphetamines can be inhaled, taken orally, intravenously, or by smoking.

Amphetamines appear in the urine within three hours after any type of administration, and can be detected by this Emit assay for as long as 24-48 hours after the last dose. The Emit II Plus Amphetamine Assay detects both d-amphetamine and d-methamphetamine, as well as d,l-amphetamine, d,l-methamphetamine, l-amphetamine, l-methamphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and methylenedioxyethylamine (MDEA) in human urine. This assay contains monoclonal antibodies; therefore, it is less subject to interference by amphetamine-like compounds than assays containing polyclonal antibodies. While interferences are reduced with this assay, like any immunological test, some interfering compounds do exist. For this reason, confirmation of preliminary positive results is always recommended.

Analytical Principle:  The Emit II Plus Amphetamine Assay is a homogeneous enzyme immunoassay with a 1000 ng/mL cutoff (SAMSHA initial test cutoff level) used for the analysis of specific compounds in human urine.

The Emit II Plus Amphetamine Assay provides only a preliminary analytical test result. A more specific alternative chemical method must be used to obtain a confirmed analytical result. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is the preferred confirmatory method but other chemical confirmation methods are available. Clinical consideration and professional judgment should be applied to any drug of abuse test result, particularly when preliminary positive results are used.