The availability of saliva as a specimen anytime during the day, non invasiveness of the collection procedures, rapidity in collection and testing, easy interpretation of the results, and the comfort of testing has made the oral drug testing quite popular among employers. Oratect test is the qualitative analysis of the saliva or the oral fluids for the detection of drugs of abuse namely amphetamines, methamphetamines, marijuana, phencyclidine, opiates and cocaine. It is a chromatographic immuno assay, which is a one step procedure which can be used to detect the parent drugs directly with out the need to detect the presence of its metabolites.

The oratect swab test can be done from anywhere with out any discomfort to the sampled person and also without any kind of fear in the person taking the sample about the cooperation of the patient. It takes only few minutes for the collection of the specimen and testing it. Further it is advantageous to know that the test does not require any sophisticated instrument for reading the test. The tests can been read visually. The samples can also be stored at room temperature.

For those that are hesitant to give urine samples and handling the urine specimen cup, the saliva for a sample can be quite heartening. This oral alert oral test can be done for a large number of people in a given time. The device consists of a built in test with a collector and the screening device. The collector has a sponge end that can be used for taking the swab and it has to be inserted into the device after which one will have to wait for the results to appear. The results can also be recorded using the photocopy template.

The cut off concentrations for the various drugs differs from one another. These kits can be either 4 or 5 or 6 panel drug tests. The cut off level for opiates is 40 ng/ml; amphetamine and methamphetamine is 50 ng/ml, marijuana at 12 ng/ml, PCP at 10ng/ml and cocaine at 20ng/ml. cotton drug swab test would be effective only if the drugs reach the appropriate cut off concentrations.

The swab drug test comes in various forms. It is essential to follow the instructions carefully to get the accurate results. The chances of getting the sample contaminated are quite less in the case of swab test. The entire process is user friendly. The control appears in all the valid tests. If the test turns positive for any drug then the corresponding drug is present in the saliva and the sample individual can be suspected for abuse. Further high level confirmatory tests can be done.

The oral cavity is constantly bathed in the natural defense system called the saliva. It is one of the main fluids secreted from our body. Apart from its functional purposes, it also serves to be a medium for the excretion for the drugs that enter into our body. Every drug that enters into our body gains access to the salivary gland and is secreted into the oral cavity through the salivary ducts; the mucous membranes in the mouth absorbs substances before the drug could reach the stomach or intestines; moreover, it is quite possible to detect parenteral administration of drugs in saliva because drugs tend to show up through the mucous membranes along with the other enzyme levels of the body in the mouth. So, regardless of a drug being administered orally or intravenously, then it can be detected in the saliva of the person. This is the principle of oraalert test that is done for detecting drugs in the body.

The procedure of oral drug testing is a simple involving wetting the swab with saliva, thus reading the results quickly. It is no invasive and detects more number of drugs. It can be done as an on site test and saves a lot of time and money. Oraalert swab test is done after taking a swab from the surface of the buccal mucosa. The device is a simple one. Initially you have to remove the cap of the device.

The next step in the oraalert oral test comprises of inserting the sponge end of the collector into the mouth and gently taking out a swab of the oral mucosa. The sponge end has to be fully wet for at least 3 minutes. Then remove the swab and insert it into the device as indicated in the instruction manual. Then wait for another 9 minutes before you remove the collector from the device followed by the interpretation of results using the standard color charts. If the sample tests positive, then you have to go for a confirmatory lab tests.

Cotton drug swab test is also similar to this. Earlier the drug testing methods comprised of taking the cotton swab from the oral mucosa and then sending it for the laboratory drug tests. Now the entire procedure has been simplified to few easy steps. Commonly detected drugs are amphetamine, methamphetamine, marijuana, phencyclidine, cocaine and opiates.

The swab drug test is highly accepted owing to the various features namely easy availability of samples, non invasive procedure and moreover it is easier to collect samples and anytime during the day or night. The drugs can also be detected rapidly. It is widely used by employers in their work places to detect the presence of drugs of abuse among their employees. Above all you need not mess up with having to collect your urine. Saliva is better than urine for a sample!

Tricyclic anti depressants are a group of congeners of imipramine, which inhibits noradrenalin and serotonin transporters in the neurons. The effects differ in normal individuals and depressed individuals. These drugs are tested using test cards, the reagent strips of which work based on lateral flow chromatographic immunoassays that respond to cut off concentrations of 1000 ng/ ml. Card drug tricyclics are approved by the FDA and are easy to perform and they interpret the results. The accuracy rate is around 97%.
Various TCA are imipramine, amitriptyline, trimipramine, doxepin, dothiepin, clomipramine, desipramine, nortriptyline, amoxapine and reboxetine. These drugs differ in their selectivity and potency. The oral absorption of these drugs is slow but good. They are bound to tissue and plasma proteins and have widespread distribution. Amitriptyline is metabolized in the liver by demethylation to form nortriptyline which is an active metabolite. This is excreted in urine over a period of 1- 2 weeks. The plasma half life of amitriptyline is 16 to 24 hours and exhibits the therapeutic window phenomenon. The test cards are used to test amitriptyline drug urine which is a one step process.

This drug screen tricyclic anti-depressant is only a preliminary test and analyses urine only on the basis of quality. A more reliable and confirmatory tests are the gas chromatography and mass spectroscopic procedures. It is essential to understand that they do not have the capacity to discriminate between the drugs of medication and abuse. The test is a rapid procedure which involves collection of urine and then testing it with the test card.
The card drug tricyclic testing procedures produce results in 5 minutes. The test cards consist of a control line and a test line. The test card must be dipped into the urine sample only up to the indicated level. The test line fails to appear if the test is positive. In case of negative results, both the lines appear. If the control fails to appear, then the test is invalid irrespective of appearance of the test lines.
The drug SAMHSA tricyclics are a reliable and accurate method for the detection of TCA. It saves a lot of time as well as these are cost effective. This detection would help the health professionals to monitor the patients taking these drugs. These drugs are capable of producing adverse drug effects. Read the instruction manual carefully before performing any tests and also avoid contamination of the urine sample to get accurate results.

Propoxyphene drug screen is a qualitative analysis for the detection of the analgesic drug propoxyphene in the body of a suspected individual. It is an in vitro diagnostic test based on the technique of lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay. Propoxyphene is an opiod analgesic which is used as a pain reliever therapeutically but is a potent drug of abuse. It is chemically related to methadone.

Propoxyphene drug screening is a one step drug testing that requires only 5 minutes for getting accurate results. Presence of propoxyphene in the body is confirmed by the gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy tests. The test strips must be kept in the closed round vial until use. The round vial must be immediately closed tightly once the test strip is removed. The entire testing procedure is simple. All you have to do is to collect the test urine and store it appropriately. Then the test must be performed following the instructions carefully. The urine has to be collected and stored in sterile containers top prevent adulteration and contamination. The absence of such sterile conditions leads to false positive and false negative results.

The next step of propoxyphene screen is to maintain the test sample at room temperature. The urine sample can be collected at any time during the day and must be clear. Any visible impurities must be filtered, precipitated, or centrifuged to get a clear urine sample. Then take a single strip and dip into the sample urine vertically. It must be immersed up to the maximum limit and not beyond that for duration of 10 to 15 seconds. Then place the test strip on a flat non absorbent surface and wait for the test lines and control to appear.

The results for propoxyphene screening are interpreted by the appearance of the color on the strips. The appearance of both control and test color lines indicates a negative result whereas the appearance of control lines alone indicates positive drug test. Failure of the appearance of the control lines is considered invalid. These results must be read within 5 to 8 minutes but not after that.

The propoxyphene testing urine can be stored at lower temperatures and can also be frozen. But they have to appropriately conditioned for the test. The test strips come in round vials with desiccant cap and package insert. Do not use the test strips beyond the expiry date.

Propoxyphene is an opiod with chemical similarity to methadone and used as an analgesic. They mainly act by blocking the opiod receptors that carry pain signals to the brain. But they have additional effects like producing euphoria. Though initially started as an analgesic, they progressively cause drug dependence and produce harmful effects. It is largely due to the tolerance gained by the system against the drug. Finally they lead to addiction resulting in severe withdrawal symptoms. Propoxyphene drug test is lateral flow Immunochromatographical assay for the qualitative detection of propoxyphene and norpropoxyphene in urine.

Darvocet is the prescribed name for the generic name propoxyphene. They come in various preparations like tablets, capsules, and liquid forms. They are orally administered. The Immunochromatographical test is just a preliminary procedure. The confirmation has to be done by gas or liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry devices. The cut off concentration for propoxyphene is 300ng/ ml. darvocet drug test can be done using drug testing strips which contains anti-propoxyphene antibody coupled particles and propoxyphene protein conjugate.

The Darvon drug test strips come in round vials with desiccant caps and a package insert. In addition you would need a timer and a specimen collection container. The urine sample must be collected in specimen cups and stored at room temperature. The urine specimen must be collected in sterile containers and can be collected during any time of the day. The test strips come with an expiry date and must be kept sealed until use. They can be refrigerated but should not be frozen. Adequate attention must be given to avoid contamination of the samples.

Propoxyphene test is a one step process which is a simple one. The urine samples must be left at room temperature to be tested. Once the test device is opened, it must be used as soon as possible. Keep the test strip vertically in the urine and dip it for 10 to 15 seconds. Keep in mind that the test strip must be immersed only up to an optimum limit as indicated on the test strip.

The strip for propoxyphene testing consists of control lines. The test is considered valid only if the controls react to the specimen optimally. The result appears in 5 minutes which is accurate and is indicated by a color change. It is advisable to read the instruction manual carefully before getting on with the tests.

Buprenorphine is a synthetic thebaine which is highly soluble in lipids. It is a potent analgesic with potency 25 times higher than morphine. It is indicated for long lasting painful conditions like that of cancer pain. A derivative of Buprenorphine is suboxone which is a combination of Buprenorphine HCL and Haloxone HCL dinitrate. These are opioids antagonists which on repeated use produce drug dependence. Suboxone drug test is done to reduce illicit use of these opioids and to help patients stay in treatment. This is primarily done by reducing the withdrawal symptoms and by reducing the craving for the drugs.

Naloxone is another active ingredient of suboxone that is the drug of choice for morphine poisoning and for reversing neo natal asphyxia. It has a high first pass metabolism in liver. It acts within 2 t 3 minutes when injected intravenously. Suboxone drug testing is done by a one step single dip device. It utilizes the one step lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay for the detection of Buprenorphine in urine. The cut off concentration is 10 ng/ ml. The results are obtained in 5 minutes and the test being highly sensitive.

Suboxone and drug test are important concern in clinics where doctors and other paramedical staff have to detect the use of this illicit drug in patients to evaluate drug dependence. The drug is manufactured in various forms. The drug testing kit detects Buprenorphine in urine which is FDA cleared and only for professional use. The alternative for this approach is the laboratory based techniques which would take several; hours to days.

The test cards can be read visually which rules out the requirement for skilled equipments for knowing the results. Test strips are also used which are also similar to test cards. Buprenorphine and drug tests are meant only for qualitative analysis of Buprenorphine in urine. The results can be obtained in 5 minutes and they are reliable and accurate. The urine is collected in sterile urine specimen cup with temperature strip. It includes a screw top lid urine cup. Such an arrangement is necessary to prevent the adulteration of the specimens.

Suboxone and drug tests are designed to tackle the various properties of Buprenorphine. It has good efficacy by sub lingual route. It is highly plasma protein bound and remains in tissues for several days. The half life is 40 hours after which it is excreted unchanged in bile and makes its way through feces.

Being aware of ovulation is important for those that are trying to get pregnant and also for those that are trying to avoid pregnancy. A peak LH hormone level is an indication of ovulation. The LH test is one of the methods to identify LH hormone level that can give an indication of ovulation. If one is able to detect the period of ovulation, they can choose to use contraceptive methods during that period to avoid pregnancy or for those that are trying to get pregnant can make use of the ovulation period to get pregnant.

A woman can not get pregnant all around the year. There is a rhythmical cycle of events taking place during the reproductive life of a woman. It is called the menstrual cycle that comprises of 28 days on an average. The ovary releases an ovum during the cycle during which it is capable of fusing with the sperm and getting fertilized. An ovulation test kit comes in varying combinations with some kits coming with ovulation temperatures and some without it; it helps you to identify the period of ovulation in a woman. These tests are highly sensitive that would help you to evaluate the time when you will ovulate so that you can try to become pregnant.

The placenta of the developing unit secretes a hormone hCG or human Chorionic Gonadotropin by the 9th day of gestation and reaches the peak at the 10th or 11th week. But they can be detected through out pregnancy which makes it a good predictor of pregnancy. The ovulation predictor test is used to calculate the LH surge and can be either ovulation mid stream tests or ovulation test strips. The midstream tests are done in the stream of urine that is taken after the initial stream of urine is omitted for collection so that the middle stream of urine comes as clear catch and in this sample the testing strips are dipped to check for the results.

The ovulation predictor test is based on the fact that prior to ovulation, there is an elevation of the luteinizing hormone in your urine; this is referred to as luteal surge. It is this hormone that brings about the release of the ovum. So if you are able to monitor the level of LH hormone in urine, then you can not only detect that you have chances to get pregnant, but also go for abstinence to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

Ovulation testing using test strips involves the collection of the urine sample using cups that have been specifically designed for the purpose. The strips are just dipped into the test sample. The presence of LH indicates a color change in just 5 minutes which is accurate and reliable. These strips come in number of packages with variable quantities.

Barbiturates are popular sedatives and hypnotics whose therapeutic usage has been discontinued since late 1960s owing to the adverse effects of barbiturates. They produce CNS depression in a dose dependent manner starting from sedation, sleep, and anesthesia and finally progressing to coma. The detection of barbiturate can be done by the barbiturate test only if the level of barbiturate in the sample is more than 300ng/ml.

Barbiturates are well absorbed from the gastrointestinal system and widely distributed in the body. They are highly lipid soluble owing to which they gain easy entry to the brain and produce depression. The termination of the action of barbiturates takes place by redistribution, metabolism in liver and excretion in urine. Barbiturate testing is based on the fact that low lipid solubility barbiturates are significantly excreted unchanged in urine. Usually they are tested in combination with a number of drugs on abuse.

Barbiturate drug screen can be done using a variety of kits. The test can be multi panel drug test, integrated test cups, and drug detection screen test card with adulteration strips. The cost effectiveness of barbiturates has made it available in the streets. The therapeutic benefits of barbiturates also can not be denied. The threshold concentration of barbiturates is 300ng/ml below which it escapes detection. The detection period is usually 2 to 4 days depending on the rate of metabolism of the drug in the body.

Barbiturate drug screening is the initial procedure in detecting the drug which is a qualitative analysis using the immunoassay and chromatographic techniques. These tests are cost effective as well as time effective. The test can be performed at the comfort of the home or office and does not require any special procedures. The drug testing kits are approved by the FDA and are available in various combinations which make it easy to detect not only barbiturates but also other drugs.

Barbiturate screen sometimes requires a preliminary check to make sure that the urine sample is not adulterated or has not been tampered. This may happen as a normal process or due to manual intentional manipulation. In such cases drug detection test screen cards comes with adulteration strips that is used to test the integrity of the urine sample. The semi quantitative screening consists of specific gravity, pH, nitrite, gluteraldehyde, oxidants/PCC and Creatinine. The presence of adulterants is indicated by color change in the strips.

Menopause is the period of women’s reproductive life when there is a cessation of the ovarian functions and decreased female sex hormones. This is characterized by several physical, psychological and emotional consequences. There are vasomotor disturbances, urogenital atrophy, osteoporosis, dermatological changes, psychological and cognitive disturbances, and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. You can know when you have attained menopause by using at home menopause test. Usually menopause sets in around the age of 40 and above. The best indication is the missing of periods.

You can keep a routine follow up of your reproductive status using the easy to use testing kits. You can d this without going to the doctor at the comfort of your home once you see any of the symptoms of menopause. Earlier, the technique consisted of blood test for menopause where the samples would be collected in the laboratories and tested for the level of FSH. It would take around 3 to 5 days. Elevated levels of FSH mean that the perimenopause period has begun. This would later on go for second screening to confirm the onset of menopause. Now you have home based menopause kits that can be done entirely at the privacy of your home.

Some of the earliest indications for the onset of menopause are missed and irregular menstrual cycles, interrupted sleep, irregular bleeding during periods, mood swings, depression, unexplained fatigue and vaginal dryness. The reason for carrying out blood tests for menopause is that elevated FSH levels are the reliable information rather than the above mentioned conditions. The above said indications may also occur due to premature ovarian failure, destruction of ovaries due to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and presence of autoimmune antibodies against ovaries.

Once the onset of menopause has been confirmed then you can take adequate care menopause test to protect yourself from the various health hazards related to menopause. You can also go for HRT or Hormone replacement therapy if needed. The home based testing kits for menopause helps you to keep a track of the estrogen levels in the blood.

FSH is the substance that is measured for confirming menopause which is the estrogen menopause test. The levels of FSH and estrogen are inversely proportional. Higher the FSH levels, lower will be the estrogen levels and vice versa. Sometimes certain surgical procedures like hysterectomy and ligation of fallopian tubes may cause early onset of menopause in women.

On site drug test is needed when the presence of illicit drug has to be proved in a suspected individual. The reason for the requirement for such tests is that by the time the samples are taken to the laboratory the drug may spontaneously disappear or the sample may lose its properties. Moreover it would also be expensive and time consuming. The on site drug testing techniques helps to overcome all these impediments involved in drug testing.

The on site drug tests are predominantly used in pre employment screening to rule out the recruitment of drug abusers in to the work force which would otherwise cost a lot to the company in the form of absenteeism, frequent illness, medical insurance, and related health disorders. Other purposes served by on site drug testing methods are random testing, security screening, reasonable cause screening, post accident testing, temporary employee screening, pre counseling sessions and for drug testing in remote and rural locations.

There are several on site services drug testing that serves to simplify your work of instantaneous drug testing. These are extremely useful in doing bedside tests. All you have to do is to get those home based easy to use kits that are FDA approved. The results are produced instantly within minutes after getting the samples. The most commonly used samples are urine, saliva and hair follicles. Urine samples are easy to obtain and they form the major pathway for the excretion of the metabolized drugs.

On site drug testing can be done for almost every drug either using a single panel or a multi drug panel that qualitatively detects the presence of a broad spectrum of drugs like cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, opiates, methamphetamines, oxycodone, nicotine, phencyclidine, alcohol tests, ecstasy, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, etc.

It is necessary to understand that there are different threshold levels for different drugs below which they can not be detected. Further different drugs have varied metabolism, excretion, pharmacokinetics, etc that makes the tests slightly different from one another. The entire onsite drug testing kits comes with instruction manual and the color charts that have standard colors. It is essential to follow the instructions carefully to avoid the false results. All the testing kits come with the inbuilt positive and negative controls that give accuracy for the results. It is advisable to dispose the testing devices in the recommended fashion after appropriate use to avoid environmental degradation.