Barbituratesbldcfmmcnc
This test measures the amount of barbiturates (sedative medications) in your blood to monitor drug levels or check for drug use.
{"Barbiturates are sedative-hypnotic drugs used to treat seizures, insomnia, and anxiety","The test uses a confirmatory method (usually mass spectrometry) for accurate detection","It helps doctors monitor therapeutic drug levels or detect poisoning","A blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm","Results help guide treatment decisions and ensure medication safety"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 42582-7
- Short code
- BARBCONF
- Synonyms
- Barbiturates Bld Cfm-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Gray-top sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate tube; alternative: lavender-top (EDTA) or green-top (heparin) tube without separator gel
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 15
- Ref high
- 40
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- confirm
- CPT
- 80345
- SNOMED
- 395165007
- Specimen volume
- 5-10 mL of whole blood
- Stability
- Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C or below): 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Barbiturate Blood Test is a laboratory test that measures the concentration of barbiturates in your blood. Barbiturates are a class of medications that act as central nervous system depressants. They are used to treat conditions such as epilepsy, severe insomnia, and anxiety. This test uses a confirmatory method, which typically involves advanced techniques like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to ensure highly accurate and specific results.
Why is this test performed?
Your healthcare provider may order this test for several reasons: to monitor therapeutic drug levels in patients taking barbiturates for seizure control or other medical conditions; to evaluate suspected barbiturate overdose or poisoning; to detect unauthorized or recreational barbiturate use; and to ensure drug levels are within the therapeutic range to prevent toxicity while maintaining effectiveness.
How is the test done?
A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm using a needle. The sample is then sent to a laboratory where it undergoes analysis using confirmatory testing methods. These methods can identify and quantify specific barbiturate compounds with high precision. The test can detect various barbiturates including phenobarbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital, and amobarbital.
What do the results mean?
Results are typically reported as either present (detected) or absent (not detected), or as a specific concentration. Therapeutic levels vary depending on the specific barbiturate and the condition being treated. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your medical history, the medication you are taking, and your symptoms. Levels above the therapeutic range may indicate overdose or toxicity, while levels below may suggest non-compliance or inadequate dosing.
Reference range
Not detected or negative in blood. Reporting limit typically ≤ 50 ng/mL; therapeutic ranges vary by barbiturate type (e.g., phenobarbital 15-40 µg/mL).N/A
No special patient preparation required. Specimen should be collected prior to administration of next dose when monitoring therapeutic levels, or at the time of suspected overdose for toxicological evaluation.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before this test?
How long does it take to get results?
Are there any risks associated with this test?
What should I tell my doctor before the test?
What happens if my test shows barbiturates but I haven't taken them?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy