Diazepam, Confirmation
CPT Code(s):
80346
Turnaround Time:
24 - 72 hours
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen:
Urine
Minimum Volume:
1.0 mL
Transport Container:
Yellow Top Tube or Sterile Cup
Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature
Collection Instructions:
Collect urine in plastic container and transfer to plain yellow top tube (without preservative).
Rejection Criteria:
Specimen received outside stability requirements; Excessive blood, particulates, viscosity present
Stability Criteria
Room Temperature:
24 hours
Refrigerated:
7 days
Frozen:
30 days
Clinical Significance
Diazepam with quantitative results using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) holds specific clinical significance and diagnostic use in the field of toxicology and medication monitoring. Diazepam is a commonly prescribed medication from the benzodiazepine class used for the treatment of anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures.
The clinical significance and diagnostic use of Diazepam with quantitative results include:
1. Medication Compliance: Diazepam aids in assessing medication compliance in patients prescribed diazepam. Quantitative measurement of diazepam levels in a patient's biological sample, typically urine or blood, provides objective evidence of medication use. It helps healthcare providers verify whether patients are taking the prescribed dose and following the recommended treatment regimen.
2. Detection of Misuse or Abuse: Diazepam is useful in detecting the misuse or abuse of diazepam. Benzodiazepines, including diazepam, have the potential for misuse or illicit use due to their sedative and anxiolytic effects. Quantitative measurement of diazepam levels helps identify individuals who may be misusing or abusing the medication, which can have adverse effects on their health.
3. Toxicity Assessment: Monitoring diazepam levels using quantitative results is valuable in assessing potential toxicity. Excessive consumption of diazepam can lead to sedation, impaired cognition, respiratory depression, and other adverse effects. Quantitative measurements help healthcare providers evaluate the severity of diazepam exposure and guide appropriate treatment interventions in cases of overdose or toxicity.
4. Drug Interaction Evaluation: Quantitative measurement of diazepam levels can help assess potential drug interactions. Diazepam may interact with other medications, such as opioids or other central nervous system depressants, leading to additive sedative effects or increased risk of respiratory depression. Monitoring diazepam levels allows healthcare providers to evaluate drug interactions and make informed decisions regarding treatment modifications or concomitant medication adjustments.
5. Forensic and Legal Applications: Diazepam with quantitative results is relevant in forensic and legal contexts. It can provide objective evidence of diazepam use or abuse in legal cases involving impaired driving, workplace incidents, or drug-related crimes. The test results serve as valuable information for legal proceedings and may influence decisions regarding legal consequences or treatment requirements.
It is important to note that Diazepam with quantitative results using LC/MS-MS provides more accurate and precise measurement of diazepam levels compared to qualitative or screening tests. Quantitative results allow for a better understanding of the extent of medication use or abuse and enable healthcare providers to make informed decisions regarding patient care.
In summary, Diazepam with quantitative results using LC/MS-MS has specific clinical significance in assessing medication compliance, detecting misuse or abuse, evaluating potential toxicity, assessing drug interactions, and supporting forensic and legal investigations. By measuring diazepam levels, this test provides valuable information for clinical decision-making, enabling healthcare providers to assess patient adherence, identify potential misuse or abuse, guide treatment interventions, and support legal proceedings as needed.