Toxicology screen

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Blood test

Overview

Risks

Results

Toxicology screen

Alternative Names:

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

What the risks are:

The risks associated with having blood drawn are:

excessive bleeding
fainting or feeling lightheaded
hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations:

Commonly found substances on a toxicology screen include:

alcohol (ethanol) -- "drinking" alcohol (see Alcohol and diet)
amphetamines
benzodiazepines
antidepressants
barbiturates and hypnotics
isopropanol -- isopropyl alcohol, rubbing alcohol (toxic) (see isopropanol overdose)
methanol -- methyl alcohol, found in antifreeze and other substances (toxic)
narcotics
non-narcotic analgesics
- acetaminophen - oral
- anti-inflammatory analgesics - oral
phenothiazines (antipsychotic or tranquilizing medications)
prescription medications, any type

This test is sometimes part of an investigation for drug use or abuse; special consents, handling and labeling of specimens, or other special procedures may be required.

Review Date: 3/2/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel R. Alexander, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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