DrugTestStrips Articles

Quick & easy to use Drug Tests

Archive for January, 2009

Using a 5 Panel Drug Screen to Detect PCP

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

PCP, or phencyclidine is one of the most common drugs used for recreational purposes. This is why it is included in many 5 panel urine drug test kits, along with cocaine, amphetamine, marijuana, and opiates. While PCP may not be spoken of as often as some of the other drugs, it has become a serious threat for the health and well being of many people. A 5 panel drug screen can quickly and easily show the presence of PCP through urine testing.

PCP used to be utilized as an anesthetic. It has hallucinogenic and neurotoxic effects and has lost popularity as a medical anesthetic agent. Although it gives the desired effects for only a few hours, it takes the body weeks to completely eliminate it from the body.

An ionotropic receptor, the N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, receives signals in the form of neurotransmitters. This brain receptor passes ions through the channel of the receptor. When PCP is passed into the channel, it blocks the movement of ions into the cell and interferes with functions of the nervous system. These affects last for a couple of hours, but the drug remains in the body until it is metabolized by the body. Studies indicate that brain damage result from the use of PCP. It also caused symptoms like schizophrenia in rats.

PCP and its related drugs became very popular street drugs in the 1970’s. As with other street drugs, the amount of active ingredient, purity, and other characteristics varied depending on the source. The effects include slurred speech, disorientation, etc. Effects will vary depending on the characteristics of the particular drug used and the amount used. It alters mood, causes the user to become detached or unusually animated. Near toxic doses can lead to schizophrenic episodes that can last for up to months. Risk for heart attack is high with the use of this drug.

The benefit of using a 5 panel drug test kit for testing PCP is that the kit will not only relate any problems with PCP use, but will alert the person administering the test to the use of any other common drugs. The Integrated 5 Panel (COC/ AMP/ THC/ OPI/ PCP) E-Z Test Cup can be purchased to allow for easy, private, and accurate testing. They cost between $6.95 and $5.95 each depending the quantity purchased. It contains an easy to use test cup that protects the person administering the test from the necessity of handling the urine sample.

You can also use the Integrated 5 Panel (COC/ mAMP/ THC/ OPI/ PCP) E-Z Test Cup II. This new integrated cup has a hinged lid for an easy to use, one step, fast testing procedure.
A 5-Drug Test Card (COC/AMP/THC/OPI/PCP) is available for between $4.50 and $5.25 each depending on the quantity of test cards purchased.

These 5 panel drug test kits are FDA approved, ‘510k’ cleared, accurate and they conform to SAMSHA guidelines for cut-off levels. A 5 panel drug screen is a safe, fast, and effective way to test for PCP, a dangerous and common drug.

The Benefits of Detecting Drugs with Hair Testing

Sunday, January 25th, 2009

Hair testing is a way of testing for drugs in a drug follicle hair screen. This method detects drug molecules embedded in the shaft of the hair, thereby eliminating external contamination that could affect the test results. This may seem odd on first consideration, but consider that hair growth is fed by the bloodstream. This means that people who use drugs will have a ‘portfolio’ of drug abuse in their hair. Because the drug molecules are embedded inside of the hair; shampoo, bleach, hair dye, or other chemical manipulation of the hair will not remove the remnants of the drug.

Because drug follicle hair screening is non invasive, easy to perform, and resistant to specimen adulteration; it is a popular method of drug testing. Unlike blood tests, a trained medical professional is not required to administer the test. Blood testing requires adequate facilities and a qualified laboratory. Urine testing must be done in a private setting. This can cause further complications in the testing procedure because precautions must be taken to avoid urine specimen contamination. For example, one must avoid the addition of water to the urine sample to dilute it.

For drug hair info, test with an FDA approved testing kit, such as the HairConfirm Regular ( 7 panel test). This kit screens for 7 illicit drugs including marijuana (THC), cocaine, opiates (such as codeine and morphine), amphetamine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, and phencyclidine (PCP). It is available for under $65.00. Since the test kit can be purchased with no personal information given, it is anonymous and private. It is discreetly shipped to avoid embarrassment. The results are accurate and reliable as we use a nationally accredited and recognized testing facility. Our laboratory uses enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technology for confirmation tests.

One major advantage of this drug test hair analysis is that the results give a detailed analysis of drug history. There is a positive or negative result for each hair class. We will assess whether a user has low, medium, or high drug use. These indicators allow us to determine if a person uses occasionally, on a daily or weekend basis, or constantly.

This test has the additional benefit of being easy to use and private while accessing fully accredited laboratory testing. The kit contains easy-to-follow directions that help you to take an appropriate sample at home. The kit contains a pre-paid package for sending the sample to us. Without using personal information, but simply by using your secure pass code and specimen ID number, you can get your results online in one or two days after the laboratory receives the sample.

Prescription drug testing is another good reason to turn Hairconfirm testing. HAIRCONFIRM™ with PRESCRIPTION DRUGS screens for seven illicit drugs (marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, and phencyclidine) as well as five prescription drugs. As we know, prescription drug abuse is becoming a huge problem for the youth of the United States. This test detects Vicodin, Lorcet/Lortab, Oxycontin, Percocet, and Dilaudid. It is available for under $90.00.
Hair testing is a convenient and reliable way to test for drugs. While it costs more than a urine test, it has many benefits that many people find to be worth it.

How to Find an Affordable, Rapid Drug Test

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

Many organizations and even families want to do drug testing but consider it to be an expensive and slow process. However, you can test for most drugs using kits that allow you to test quickly and easily. Drug testing does not have to take ages to process anymore. A rapid drug test can be done on site without sacrificing convenience, affordability, and accuracy. You can get results fast with urinalysis, breathalyzers, and saliva tests. Results are available in minutes and the tests can be performed without trained professionals or invasive procedures. This is a great way to provide employee safety, monitoring of a teenager, or any other tracking program that helps oversee drug use.

A urine test can be performed easily and without handling the samples if an E-Z test cup kit is purchased. This drug instant kit test is integrated so that the person administering the test does not have to deal with the unpleasantness of dealing directly with the sample. For example, the Integrated 5 Panel (COC/ AMP /map/ THC/ OPI) E-Z Test Cup is available for only $5.95 per kit and comes with the E-Z test cup that allows the test to be done in a safe and convenient way. It is between 95% and 98% accurate and tests for cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, marijuana (THC), and opiates.

A good way to test for cocaine and marijuana is with the 2-Drug Test Card (COC/THC) which tests a urine sample for the two illegal drugs. It is FDA approved, ‘510k’ cleared, and conforms to SAMHSA guidelines for cut-off levels. It is available for between $2.25 and $2.55 per test card. This panel drug test is extremely inexpensive and can be purchased in bulk, which makes it perfect for long term testing or for an extensive rapid drug detection program.

A breathalyzer may sound like an expensive method of testing, but the Alco-Scan 5000 Breathalyzer #AL-5000 is available for as little as $80.00 and is very easy to use. This test is extremely easy to administer because it has a digital read out and the test can be performed anywhere without worrying about privacy issues, such as appropriate rest room facilities. There is no need to provide for the hygiene of the rest room or the worry about adulteration from people diluting samples with water, etc.
All of these tests are FDA approved and up to 98% accurate. However, they should be used as a rapid drug screening. If a person tests positive for drug use, it is important to have the tests verified through a laboratory using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), or mass spectrometry (MS).

A rapid drug test can be purchased for a reasonable price. Contrary to general understanding, it can be easy to do, inexpensive, and accurate. You don’t have to wait for days, but you can get results in minutes. This can be the key to setting up an in-house drug testing program that provides a family, company, school, or other organization with increased security, safety, and productivity.

Finding an Oxy Drug Test

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

Oxycodone is a very addictive drug. It is a medication developed for pharmaceutical use that has gained popularity as a recreational drug. It is a descendant of older opiates such as morphine, heroin, and codeine. It is a controlled substance in the United States and should be used with caution because of its addictive properties and possible side effects.

Side effects from using oxycodone may include constipation, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, among other possible problems. Psychological side effects may include anxiety and euphoria. In rare cases it can result in impotence, prostate problems, and a decrease in testosterone. Large doses or side effects for people who are very sensitive to the drug can include breathing problems, circulatory collapse, hypotension, and even death. Withdrawal from this drug can produce bad withdrawal symptoms and it is recommended that withdrawal is done gradually rather than abruptly. OxyContin related deaths are often a result of the combination of the drug with another central nervous system depressant such as alcohol, Ambien, Xanax, or Seroquel.

Percocet, or Tylox, tablets include oxycodone with acetaminophen. This is often prescribed for pain control after medical procedures. Oxycodone can also be used to treat chronic pain, especially since it has become available in sustained release formulas. Percocet drug testing is accomplished when oxycodone detection is present in a drug test. Oxycontin has a sustained release formula that works for eight to twelve hours. This is often prescribed for people with constant pain. The drug oxycontin test also shows up when testing for oxycodone.

Oxycodone is regularly abused as an illegal, recreational drug. The time release formula is often circumvented by removing the time release coating. The pill is then crushed for ingestion. Teenagers who use oxycodone may cause long term effects on their neurological function, causing use of the drug to result in amplified affects throughout their life. The increase of use of this drug, commonly called ‘hillbilly heroin’, has increased the need to perform testing, such as an ms contin drug test.
An Integrated 12 PANEL EZ II (mAMP/MDMATHC) + (BZO/MTD/BAR) + (AMP/MOP) + (OXY/PPX) + COC150 + BUP tests for methamphetamine, cocaine, amphetamine, marijuana (THC), opiate (OPI), phencyclidine (PCP), barbiturate (BAR), benzodiazepine, methadone, and ecstasy. This is available for under $15.00. It is FDA approved and easily administered with an integrated testing system with a dip and read system. The results can be read in a matter of minutes and are between 95% and 98% accurate. The test conforms to SAMHSA cut off levels.

For a drug oxycontin test, it is not necessary to go to a laboratory testing facility for a gas chromatography (GC) test or a mass spectrometry test. Instead, you can do pre-screening with a urine test. You will need to follow up positive results with a laboratory test for verification, but it is a great way to screen for the misuse of the drug oxycodone.

Employee Drug Test Options

Monday, January 19th, 2009

An employee drug test is extremely important on many levels. It is imperative to choose a testing procedure that is accurate, private, cost effective, and easy to administer. If any of these characteristics are lacking, it could impair the ability of a company to maintain an effective program to provide a drug test for employee screening.

As with any other program implemented by a company, drug testing must be done in such a way that the privacy of each employee is observed. This is accomplished by allowing for a proper facility in which to perform the drug test. For example, a urine sample may be obtained in a room with bathroom facilities that have been altered to accommodate the testing process. For example, the room may not contain a sink that could be used to dilute the urine sample in an attempt to alter the results. While other hand washing alternatives, such as hand wipes, must be provided; this would eliminate a source of error while maintaining hygiene and privacy for the employee being tested. The toilet water could be stained to verify that it was not being used for dilution. If these options are not available to provide privacy and sample integrity, a drug test kit with adulterant testing may be an option. For example, a 4 Panel (COC/MAMP/THC/OPI) Integrated Test Cup with Adulteration is an FDA approved kit that tests for cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and opiates. It also contains a test for adulteration so that attempts to mask drug use will be uncovered. It can be purchased for between $6.85 and $8.15. The strip tests for pH, specific gravity, and oxidants in the urine specimen.

Cost effectiveness is essential for the survival of any program opened by an organization or company. With a 10 panel drug screen, you can be sure your drug testing employee coverage will be thorough. However, if you need to test for the most common drugs at a reasonable price, you may want to use something like the Integrated 5 Panel (COC/ AMP /map/ THC/ OPI) E-Z Test Cup, which can be purchased for as low as $5.95 each. Although it tests for fewer drugs, it continues to test accurately for cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, marijuana, and opiates. It is still easy to use with an E-Z test cup that keeps the person giving the test from handling the urine sample.
As an employer, you may find yourself wanting to test for a particular drug. Employee in place test Victorville area may be a challenge because you will find it difficult to verify your testing procedure if someone tests positive. Fortunately, we have mail-in testing to verify any urine tests with high performance liquid chromatography and mass chromatography testing.

Accuracy is important, so make sure that you choose an employee drug test that is FDA approved and follows guidelines important for your purposes, such as following SAMHSA guidelines for cut off limits. It is important to choose your test to fit all of the needs for your company’s purposes. Remember that this is a program that must work practically in the long run. Therefore, you need to choose a test kit that fits your needs for accuracy, cost effectiveness, privacy, and ease of administration.