benzodiazepine, urine Test

The Benzodiazepine Test is a urine test that is performed to detect the presence of benzodiazepines, a class of medicines that are central nervous system depressants, in a person’s body. Also known informally as sleeping pills or tranquilizers, these drugs are often used to sedate patients to ease anxiety, prevent seizures, or relax muscle spasms.

Toxic urine screen and urine toxicology screen are a few other names that this test is known by.

24 to 36 Hours

Benzodiazepine refers to a group of drugs of abuse that are sometimes used illegally. Cases of Rohypnol, a benzodiazepine date rape drug, being slipped into drinks of sexual assault victims are examples of such abuse.

Chronic abuse of benzodiazepine can cause addiction, in which case, patients would need a withdrawal, supervised by their doctors to overcome it. Combining these medicines with other depressants or alcohol can even have fatal effects over people.

A benzodiazepine urine test may be recommended to people when they show symptoms of an overdose, such as –

Confusion

Loss of muscular coordination

Slurred speech

Stupor

Unconsciousness

While the above can happen in case of prescription drugs, an individual may also be asked to take this test if the doctor suspects an illegal use of these drugs. People taking benzodiazepine accidentally or as a suicide attempt can also be tested.

A benzodiazepine test can also be included as a part of an overall urine toxicology test for detecting commonly abused drugs in an individual’s body.

Generally, no preparation is needed for taking this test. Individuals must however, inform the healthcare provider or technician about any drug/herb/supplements, prescribed or illicit, that they may be taking.

The healthcare provider may make suggestions regarding the collection and storage of the samples or if any other test is required.

Urine