Benzodiazepines Drug Testing

Benzodiazepines, originally made available to the public in 1960 by Hoffman-Laroche, are a class of psychoactive drug used to treat a range of conditions, including insomnia, seizures, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, and anxiety. In 1977, benzodiazepines were the most prescribed medication globally.

Benzodiazepines, commonly known as minor tranquilisers, are relaxants and depressants, typically used for their sedative properties. Benzodiazepines and opioids may occasionally be prescribed together, but this combination carries an increased risk of sedation and potentially fatal respiratory depression, so it should only be used where there is no suitable alternative and with appropriate medical supervision. Unfortunately, benzodiazepines also have the potential for misuse and dependence. Drug testing can be used to screen for their use.

Contents

• How Benzodiazepine Testing Works
• The Different Types of Benzodiazepines
• Short-Acting Benzodiazepines
• Intermediate-Acting Benzodiazepines
• Long-Acting Benzodiazepines
• Can People Cheat the Testing System?
• How to Avoid Altered Drug Testing Results
• How to Conduct a Urine Drug Screening Test

How Benzodiazepine Testing Works

When benzodiazepines are metabolised, they produce chemical compounds known as metabolites. Many urine screening tests detect one or more benzodiazepine metabolites rather than specifically identifying the original drug. Different benzodiazepines are metabolised differently, so the substances detected and the sensitivity of a screening test depend on the particular test being used.

The exact amount of time taken for a medication or its metabolites to appear in urine varies. Detection is affected by factors including the particular benzodiazepine, dose, frequency of use, individual metabolism and the sensitivity and cut-off level of the test.

Benzodiazepines are commonly described as short-acting, intermediate-acting or long-acting. Urine detection times vary considerably between individual drugs and between people. As a broad guide, benzodiazepines may remain detectable for several days, while some long-acting drugs or repeated use can produce a considerably longer detection window.

The Different Types of Benzodiazepines

While all benzodiazepines work similarly, there are some key differences in how long their effects last and how they are metabolised by the body. This can affect both their therapeutic uses and how long they may be detected by a drug test.

Short-Acting Benzodiazepines

These have a relatively brief duration of effect and tend to be metabolised more quickly than longer-acting benzodiazepines. Detection times should only be treated as a guide, as they vary according to the drug, dose, frequency of use and test being used. Common short-acting benzodiazepines include:

• Midazolam (Versed) – Used for sedation and anxiety before medical procedures. It can also cause temporary memory loss around the time it is administered.
• Triazolam (Halcion) – A short-acting medication used to treat insomnia.
• Alprazolam (Xanax) – Prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders and associated with a risk of dependence when misused or taken for prolonged periods.

Intermediate-Acting Benzodiazepines

As the name suggests, these generally last longer than short-acting benzodiazepines but not as long as long-acting types. The period during which they can be detected in urine varies considerably. Examples include:

• Lorazepam (Ativan) – Used for conditions including anxiety, insomnia and symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal.
• Clonazepam (Klonopin) – Used for conditions including seizures and panic disorder. Read more about how long clonazepam stays in your system.
• Temazepam (Restoril) – A benzodiazepine commonly used for the short-term treatment of insomnia.

Long-Acting Benzodiazepines

These benzodiazepines generally have a longer half-life, meaning they take longer to be eliminated from the body. Some long-acting benzodiazepines and their metabolites can therefore remain detectable for longer, particularly following repeated or chronic use. Examples include:

• Diazepam (Valium) – Used for conditions including anxiety, muscle spasms and symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal.
• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) – Used for conditions including alcohol withdrawal and anxiety.
• Flurazepam (Dalmane) – A long-acting benzodiazepine used in the treatment of insomnia.

Differences in half-life and metabolism can influence how long individual benzodiazepines remain detectable. However, a drug’s classification alone cannot provide an exact urine detection time.

No matter which type of benzodiazepine is involved, attempts may be made to interfere with drug testing procedures. This makes appropriate sample collection and test procedures important.

Can People Cheat the Testing System for Benzodiazepines?

People may attempt to cheat on a urine drug screening test, although appropriate collection and testing procedures can help identify or reduce interference.

Some of the ways in which people may attempt to interfere with urine drug testing include:

• Diluting the urine sample – Excessive fluid consumption or adding liquid directly to a specimen can dilute the concentration of substances in the urine.
• Substituting the sample – A person may attempt to provide a urine specimen that is not their own.
• Adulterating the sample – Substances may be added to a specimen in an attempt to interfere with the testing process. An adulterated sample may produce an invalid or unreliable result.
• Delaying the drug test – Because drugs and their metabolites are eliminated from the body over time, delaying a test can affect whether a substance remains within its detection window.
• Using so-called detox products or methods – Products and techniques are marketed with claims that they can alter drug test results, but such claims should not be relied upon.

Attempts to dilute, substitute or adulterate a specimen can make a sample unsuitable for testing or interfere with some screening procedures. Proper collection procedures, specimen validity checks and appropriate confirmation testing help reduce the risk of unreliable results.

How to Avoid Altered Drug Testing Results

Unannounced or appropriately randomised testing can reduce the opportunity for deliberate interference with a drug test. In workplace settings, however, testing should always be carried out in accordance with an established drug and alcohol policy, appropriate consent procedures and applicable employment and privacy requirements.

Where there are concerns about the integrity of a specimen or an unexpected screening result, appropriate specimen validity procedures and, where necessary, confirmation testing should be considered rather than relying solely on the initial screening result.

How to Conduct a Urine Drug Screening Test

Urine drug testing can be straightforward when the instructions supplied with the test are followed carefully. Before starting, make sure you have the appropriate testing equipment. Zoom Testing supplies urine drug test cups as well as single drug tests for benzodiazepines where screening for benzodiazepines alone is required.

For workplace testing, sample collection should follow your organisation’s agreed drug and alcohol testing policy and the instructions supplied with the test. Employees should understand and consent to the testing process, and collection procedures should protect privacy while maintaining appropriate sample integrity and chain-of-custody controls.

Once the urine specimen has been collected, follow the instructions supplied with the particular drug test carefully, including the specified sample volume and result-reading time. Screening tests provide a preliminary result. Where a result may have significant medical, legal or employment consequences, appropriate confirmation testing and professional advice should be considered.

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