Toxicology Tests

Drug Screening Test

Test Overview

A toxicology test checks blood or urine for the presence of drugs. In rare cases, stomach contents, sweat, or saliva may also be checked.

Drugs can be accidentally or deliberately swallowed, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through a skin surface or mucous membrane. These include prescription medicines, non-prescription medicine (such as ASA or acetaminophen), vitamins, nutritional supplements, alcohol, and illegal drugs, such as cocaine and heroin.

A toxicology test may check for one specific drug or for up to 30 different drugs at once. Testing is often done on a urine sample instead of blood, because urine tests are usually easier to do than blood tests and many drugs show up in the urine. Also, traces of a drug may remain in urine for longer than in blood.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: August 28, 2006
Medical Review:	Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology
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