Benzodiazepines (Blood)

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Does this take a look at produce other names?

Benzodiazepine drug display screen

What is that this take a look at?

This can be a blood take a look at to test for a sort of medication referred to as benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines are medicines that depress the central nervous system. They’re used to sedate sufferers, assist them sleep, forestall seizures, ease nervousness, and loosen up muscle spasms. You may additionally hear these medicines referred to as tranquilizers, sleeping tablets, and muscle relaxants. 

Some frequent medicines used to decrease nervousness, loosen up muscular tissues, and management seizures embrace:

  • Alprazolam

  • Chlordiazepoxide

  • Clonazepam

  • Clorazepate

  • Diazepam

  • Lorazepam

  • Oxazepam

Some frequent medicines used for selling calmness and sleep embrace:

  • Temazepam

  • Triazolam

  • Flurazepam

  • Estazolam

These medicines are additionally typically used illegally. Road names for these medicines embrace “downers,” “benzos,” “nerve tablets,” “sweet,” and “tranks.” Persistent abuse of benzodiazepines can result in habit. Utilizing these medicines with different depressants, resembling alcohol may be deadly.

Why do I want this take a look at?

Even when you’ve got been prescribed 1 of those medicines, chances are you’ll want this take a look at when you’ve got indicators or signs of an overdose. Indicators and signs of overdose can embrace:

You may additionally have this take a look at if a healthcare supplier thinks chances are you’ll be abusing the drugs illegally or with out a prescription.

If in case you have indicators as above, you might also have this take a look at as a part of a drug display screen to test for different generally abused medicines. These screens usually embrace exams for:

  • Cocaine

  • Opioids

  • Amphetamines

  • Barbiturates

  • Marijuana

  • Phencyclidine

If you’re aware and in a position to speak, you may give info to assist your healthcare suppliers determine the precise take a look at for you. For instance, in case you are a sufferer of sexual assault, you could have this take a look at to see if somebody put a benzodiazepine date rape drug, resembling flunitrazepam (Rohypnol or “roofie”), into your drink. You may additionally be examined if healthcare suppliers assume you’ve taken benzodiazepines unintentionally or as a suicide try. 

Totally different benzodiazepines have completely different doses, starting from 0.5 to 50 milligrams (mg). Overdoses of 10 to twenty instances the prescribed dose of some benzodiazepines can lead to a light coma however do not trigger gradual or shallow respiratory. Most individuals recuperate. However overdoses of fast-acting benzodiazepines, resembling triazolam, usually tend to trigger respiratory issues and even dying.

What different exams may I’ve together with this take a look at?

You may additionally have a glucose take a look at to test your blood sugar. A benzodiazepine overdose alone is unlikely to trigger coma or extreme coronary heart or lung perform issues. If in case you have these signs, a healthcare supplier might display screen for different medication and take a look at for causes of central nervous system issues that are not brought on by medicines or medication.

You may additionally have a urine take a look at for benzodiazepines or a urine toxicology display screen for a wide range of substances. Urine exams are simpler to do than blood exams. However blood exams are tougher for an individual to tamper with so as to disguise their drug abuse.

Which exams you’ve depends upon your examination and the data that you’ll be able to present. 

What do my take a look at outcomes imply?

Check outcomes might fluctuate relying in your age, gender, well being historical past, and different issues. Your take a look at outcomes could also be completely different relying on the lab used. They might not imply you’ve an issue. Ask your healthcare supplier what your take a look at outcomes imply for you.

The results of the blood take a look at is both constructive or adverse. A constructive outcome means the drugs is in your blood. A adverse outcome means it isn’t. The blood take a look at can also have the ability to measure the quantity of medication in your blood.   

A medication referred to as flumazenil could also be used as an antidote to the sedative results of benzodiazepines. It should not be utilized in individuals who have been taking benzodiazepines over an extended interval to manage seizures. In these circumstances, flumazenil may trigger withdrawal that would result in dying. 

How is that this take a look at performed?

The take a look at is finished with a blood pattern. A needle is used to attract blood from a vein in your arm or hand. 

Does this take a look at pose any dangers?

Having a blood take a look at with a needle carries some dangers. These embrace bleeding, an infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, chances are you’ll really feel a slight sting or ache. Afterward, the positioning could also be sore. 

What may have an effect on my take a look at outcomes?

In older adults and other people with liver illness, sure benzodiazepines might last more within the blood. Their take a look at outcomes might present larger ranges of the drugs from the identical preliminary dose.

How do I prepare for this take a look at?

You do not want to arrange for this take a look at. However ensure your healthcare supplier is aware of about all of the medicines, herbs, nutritional vitamins, and dietary supplements you take. This contains medicines that don’t want a prescription and any unlawful medication chances are you’ll use.