Drug Information

The One Step Drug Screen Test Card with the integrated iCup is a rapid urine screening test that can be
performed without the use of an instrument. The test utilizes a monoclonal antibody to selectively detect
elevated levels of specific drugs in urine.

AMPHETAMINE (AMP)
Amphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance available by prescription (Dexedrine®) and is also
available on the illicit market. Amphetamines are a class of potent sympathomimetic agents with therapeutic applications. They are chemically related to the human body’s natural catecholamines: epinephrine and norepinephrine. Acute higher doses lead to enhanced stimulation of the central nervous system and induce euphoria, alertness, reduced appetite, and a sense of increased energy and power. Cardiovascular responses to Amphetamines include increased blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias. More acute responses produce anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and psychotic behavior. The effects of Amphetamines generally last 2-4 hours following use, and the drug has a half-life of 4-24 hours in the body. About 30% of Amphetamines are excreted in the urine in unchanged form, with the remainder as hydroxylated and deaminated derivatives.
The One Step Drug Screen Test Card with the integrated iCup yields a positive result when Amphetamines in urine exceed 1,000 ng/mL. This is the suggested screening cut-off for positive specimens set by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, USA). 4

BARBITURATES (BAR)
Barbiturates are central nervous system depressants. They are used therapeutically as sedatives, hypnotics, and anticonvulsants. Barbiturates are almost always taken orally as capsules or tablets. The effects resemble those of intoxication with alcohol. Chronic use of barbiturates leads to tolerance and physical dependence. Short acting Barbiturates taken at 400 mg/day for 2-3 months can produce a clinically significant degree of physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms experienced during periods of drug abstinence can be severe enough to cause death.
Only a small amount (less than 5%) of most Barbiturates are excreted unaltered in the urine.
The approximate detection time limits for Barbiturates are:
    Short acting (e.g. Secobarbital) 100 mg PO (oral) 4.5 days
    Long acting (e.g. Phenobarbital) 400 mg PO (oral) 7 days1
The One Step Drug Screen Test Card with the integrated iCup yields a positive result when the Barbiturates in urine exceed 300 ng/mL.

BENZODIAZEPINES (BZO)
Benzodiazepines are medications that are frequently prescribed for the symptomatic treatment of anxiety
and sleep disorders. They produce their effects via specific receptors involving a neurochemical called
gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). Because they are safer and more effective, Benzodiazepines have
replaced barbiturates in the treatment of both anxiety and insomnia. Benzodiazepines are also used as
sedatives before some surgical and medical procedures, and for the treatment of seizure disorders and
alcohol withdrawal. Risk of physical dependence increases if Benzodiazepines are taken regularly (e.g.,
daily) for more than a few months, especially at higher than normal doses. Stopping abruptly can bring
on such symptoms as trouble sleeping, gastrointestinal upset, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, sweating,
trembling, weakness, anxiety and changes in perception.
Only trace amounts (less than 1%) of most Benzodiazepines are excreted unaltered in the urine; most of the concentration in urine is conjugated drug. The detection period for the Benzodiazepines in the urine
is 3-7 days.
The One Step Drug Screen Test Card with the integrated iCup yields a positive result when the
Benzodiazepines in urine exceed 300 ng/mL.

COCAINE (COC)
Cocaine is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant and a local anesthetic. Initially, it brings
about extreme energy and restlessness while gradually resulting in tremors, over-sensitivity and spasms.
In large amounts, cocaine causes fever, unresponsiveness, difficulty in breathing and unconsciousness. Cocaine is often self-administered by nasal inhalation, intravenous injection and free-base smoking. It is excreted in the urine in a short time primarily as Benzoylecgonine. Benzoylecgonine, a major metabolite of cocaine, has a longer biological half-life (5-8 hours) than cocaine (0.5-1.5 hours), and can generally be detected for 24-48 hours after cocaine exposure.
The One Step Drug Screen Test Card with the integrated iCup yields a positive result when the cocaine
metabolite in urine exceeds 300 ng/mL. This is the suggested screening cut-off for positive specimens set
by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, USA).

MARIJUANA (THC)
THC (∆9--tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary active ingredient in cannabis (marijuana). When smoked or
orally administered, THC produces euphoric effects. Users have impaired short term memory and slowed
learning. They may also experience transient episodes of confusion and anxiety. Long term relatively
heavy use may be associated with behavioral disorders. The peak effect of marijuana administered by
smoking occurs in 20-30 minutes and the duration is 90-120 minutes after one cigarette. Elevated levels
of urinary metabolites are found within hours of exposure and remain detectable for 3-10 days after
smoking. The main metabolite excreted in the urine is 11-nor-∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid
(∆9-THC-COOH). The One Step Drug Screen Test Card with the integrated iCup yields a positive result when the
concentration of THC-COOH in urine exceeds 50 ng/mL. This is the suggested screening cut-off for positive specimens set by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, USA).

METHADONE (MTD)
Methadone is a narcotic analgesic prescribed for the management of moderate to severe pain and for the
treatment of opiate dependence (heroin, Vicodin, Percocet, Morphine). The pharmacology of Oral
Methadone is very different from IV Methadone. Oral Methadone is partially stored in the liver for later
use. IV Methadone acts more like heroin. In most states you must go to a pain clinic or a Methadone
maintenance clinic to be prescribed Methadone.
Methadone is a long acting pain reliever producing effects that last from twelve to forty-eight hours.
Ideally, Methadone frees the client from the pressures of obtaining illegal heroin, from the dangers of
injection, and from the emotional roller coaster that most opiates produce. Methadone, if taken for long
periods and at large doses, can lead to a very long withdrawal period. The withdrawals from Methadone
are more prolonged and troublesome than those provoked by heroin cessation, yet the substitution and
phased removal of methadone is an acceptable method of detoxification for patients and therapists. The MTD One Step Methadone Test Card with the integrated iCup yields a positive result when the Methadone in urine exceeds 300 ng/mL.

METHAMPHETAMINE (mAMP)
Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems in the brain.
Methamphetamine is closely related chemically to amphetamine, but the central nervous system effects
of Methamphetamine are greater. Methamphetamine is made in illegal laboratories and has a high potential for abuse and dependence. The drug can be taken orally, injected, or inhaled. Acute higher doses lead to enhanced stimulation of the central nervous system and induce euphoria, alertness, reduced appetite, and a sense of increased energy and power. Cardiovascular responses to Methamphetamine include increased blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias. More acute responses
produce anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, psychotic behavior, and eventually, depression and exhaustion.
The effects of Methamphetamine generally last 2-4 hours and the drug has a half-life of 9-24 hours in the
body. Methamphetamine is excreted in the urine as amphetamine and oxidized and deaminated derivatives. However, 10-20% of Methamphetamine is excreted unchanged. Thus, the presence of the parent compound in the urine indicates Methamphetamine use. Methamphetamine is generally detectable in the urine for 3-5 days, depending on urine pH level.
The One Step Drug Screen Test Card with the integrated iCup yields a positive result when the Methamphetamine in urine exceeds 1,000 ng/mL.

METHYLENEDIOXYMETHAMPHETAMINE (MDMA)
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) is a designer drug first synthesized in 1914 by a German
drug company for the treatment of obesity.8 Those who take the drug frequently report adverse effects,
such as increased muscle tension and sweating. MDMA is not clearly a stimulant, although it has, in common with amphetamine drugs, a capacity to increase blood pressure and heart rate. MDMA does produce some perceptual changes in the form of increased sensitivity to light, difficulty in focusing, and blurred vision in some users. Its mechanism of action is thought to be via release of the neurotransmitter serotonin. MDMA may also release dopamine, although the general opinion is that this is a secondary effect of the drug (Nichols and Oberlender, 1990). The most pervasive effect of MDMA, occurring in virtually all people who took a reasonable dose of the drug, was to produce a clenching of the jaws. The One Step Drug Screen Test Card with the integrated iCup yields a positive result when the
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine in urine exceeds 500 ng/mL.

OPIATE (MOP 300)
Opiate refers to any drug that is derived from the opium poppy, including the natural products, morphine
and codeine, and the semi-synthetic drugs such as heroin. Opioid is more general, referring to any drug
that acts on the opioid receptor.
Opioid analgesics comprise a large group of substances which control pain by depressing the central
nervous system. Large doses of morphine can produce higher tolerance levels, physiological dependency
in users, and may lead to substance abuse. Morphine is excreted unmetabolized, and is also the major
metabolic product of codeine and heroin. Morphine is detectable in the urine for several days after an
opiate dose.
The One Step Drug Screen Test Card yields a positive result when the concentration of opiate exceeds
the 300 ng/mL cut-off level. OPIATE (2000)
The One Step Drug Screen Test Card with the integrated iCup yields a positive result when the morphine
in urine exceeds 2,000 ng/mL. This is the suggested screening cut-off for positive specimens set by the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, USA). See Opiate (MOP 300)
for a summary.

PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP)
Phencyclidine, also known as PCP or Angel Dust, is a hallucinogen that was first marketed as a surgical
anesthetic in the 1950’s. It was removed from the market because patients receiving it became delirious
and experienced hallucinations.
Phencyclidine is used in powder, capsule, and tablet form. The powder is either snorted or smoked after
mixing it with marijuana or vegetable matter. Phencyclidine is most commonly administered by inhalation but can be used intravenously, intra-nasally, and orally. After low doses, the user thinks and acts swiftly and experiences mood swings from euphoria to depression. Self-injurious behavior is one of the
devastating effects of Phencyclidine.
PCP can be found in urine within 4 to 6 hours after use and will remain in urine for 7 to 14 days, depending on factors such as metabolic rate, user’s age, weight, activity, and diet.5 Phencyclidine is excreted in the urine as an unchanged drug (4% to 19%) and conjugated metabolites (25% to 30%). The One Step Drug Screen Test Card with the integrated iCup yields a positive result when the phencyclidine level in urine exceeds 25 ng/mL. This is the suggested screening cut-off for positive specimens set by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, USA).

TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS (TCA)
TCA (Tricyclic Antidepressants) are commonly used for the treatment of depressive disorders. TCA overdoses can result in profound central nervous system depression, cardiotoxicity and anticholinergic
effects. TCA overdose is the most common cause of death from prescription drugs. TCAs are taken orally
or sometimes by injection. TCAs are metabolized in the liver. Both TCAs and their metabolites are excreted in urine mostly in the form of metabolites for up to ten days.
The One Step Drug Screen Test Card with the integrated iCup yields a positive result when the concentration of Tricyclic Antidepressants in urine exceeds 1,000 ng/mL.