Cocaine Metabolites, 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.

The Emit II Plus Cocaine Metabolite Assay is a homogeneous enzyme assay with a 300 ng/mL cutoff (SAMSHA initial test cutoff level). This assay is intended for in vitro diagnostic use in the qualitative analysis of benzoylecgonine (cocaine metabolite) in human urine, Emit II Plus assays are designed for use with multiple Beckman Coulter AU analyzers. Positive results for samples containing other compounds structurally unrelated to benzoylecgonine have not been observed.

Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that is extracted from the coca plant. As a drug of abuse, it is self-administered is a variety of ways, including inhalation and intravenous injec­tions. Cocaine base can be smoked in a form that is commonly known as "crack". Cocaine is rapidly absorbed, especially when smoked. While all forms are potentially addicting, "crack" is especially likely to lead to dependence because of its more rapid and heightened effect on the abuser.

Excretion rate patterns vary with the mode of administration and from individual to individual. Cocaine is almost completely metabolized, primarily in the liver, with only about one percent excreted in the urine unchanged. Most cocaine is eliminated as benzoylecgonine, the major metabolite of cocaine. Cocaine is also excreted in relatively lesser amounts as ecgonine methylester, and ecgonine. Cocaine metabolites may be detected in urine for up to a couple of days after cocaine is used. Benzoylecgonine can be detected in urine within four hours after cocaine inhalation and remain detectable in concentrations greater than 1000 ng/mL for as long as 48 hours. Methods historically used for detecting benzoylecgonine in biological fluids include high-per­formance liquid chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, and enzyme immunoassay.

Analytical Principle:  The Emit II Plus Cocaine Metabolite Assay is a homogeneous enzyme immunoassay technique used for the analysis of specific compounds in human urine.

The Emit II Plus Cocaine Metabolite Assay provides only a preliminary analytical test result. A more specific alternative chemical method must be used to obtain a confirmed analytical result. Clinical consideration and professional judgment should be applied to any drug of abuse test result, particularly when preliminary positive results are used.