Barbituratespresentserplscn
A barbiturate blood test detects the presence of barbiturate drugs in your blood to monitor medication levels or check for drug use.
{"Detects barbiturates (sedative-hypnotic medications) in blood samples","Used to monitor therapeutic drug levels or screen for drug abuse","Performed on a blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm","Results can help doctors ensure proper dosing or identify overdose"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 21091-4
- Short code
- BARBS
- Synonyms
- Barbiturates Present SerPl Scn
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top serum collection tube or serum separator tube (SST); plasma collected in heparin or EDTA tube is acceptable
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 200
- Ref high
- 300
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- screen
- CPT
- 80307
- SNOMED
- 395112001
- Specimen volume
- 2-5 mL of whole blood yielding 1-2 mL of serum or plasma
- Stability
- Serum/plasma stable for 24 hours at room temperature, 7 days at 2-8°C, and 30 days at -20°C for forensic analysis
- Hemolysis max
- 100
- Lipemia max
- 500
- Icterus max
- 25
- TAT
- 2–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
A barbiturate blood test is a screening test that detects whether barbiturates are present in your blood. Barbiturates are a class of prescription medications that act as central nervous system depressants. They are typically prescribed for conditions such as seizures, insomnia, and anxiety, or used as anesthesia during surgery. This test can identify the presence of drugs like phenobarbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital, and amobarbital.
Why might I need this test?
Your doctor may order this test for several reasons: (1) Therapeutic drug monitoring - if you are taking a barbiturate medication, the test helps ensure the drug level in your blood is within the therapeutic range; (2) Drug abuse screening - to check for non-medical use of barbiturates; (3) Overdose investigation - if you have symptoms of barbiturate overdose such as extreme drowsiness, slurred speech, or difficulty breathing; (4) Pre-employment or legal testing - as part of a drug screening protocol.
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 will be collected in a tube and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The test is a screening method, which means it can detect the presence of barbiturates but may not measure the exact amount. If the screening test is positive, confirmatory testing may be performed to identify the specific type of barbiturate and its concentration.
What do the results mean?
A negative result means no barbiturates were detected in your blood at the time of testing. A positive result indicates that barbiturates are present. If you are taking a prescribed barbiturate, your doctor will interpret the level relative to the therapeutic range. Levels above the therapeutic range may indicate overdose, while levels below may suggest your dose needs adjustment. If you are not prescribed barbiturates, a positive result may indicate non-medical use.
Reference range
Negative (cutoff typically 200-300 ng/mL for most barbiturates; varies by specific assay and analyte)N/A
No special patient preparation required. Specimen collection should occur prior to administration of activated charcoal if indicated for overdose treatment. Document time of last dose if known.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings2
Frequently asked questions
What are barbiturates?
How long do barbiturates stay in blood?
Do I need to prepare for the test?
Is the test confidential?
What happens if my test results are positive?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
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 15, 2026. · Read our editorial policy