Barbituratesspecql
A blood test that detects the presence of barbiturate drugs in your system.
{"Barbiturates are sedative-hypnotic medications used for anesthesia, seizure control, and sleep disorders","This test checks if barbiturates are present in your blood serum","Results can help monitor drug therapy or investigate suspected overdose","Common barbiturates include phenobarbital, pentobarbital, and secobarbital","The test is performed on a blood sample collected from a vein"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 10363-0
- Short code
- BARBS
- Synonyms
- Barbiturates Spec Ql
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top serum collection tube (no anticoagulant) or serum separator tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 3.5
- Ref high
- 7.2
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- Immunoassay (e.g., enzyme immunoassay, fluorescence polarization immunoassay) with confirmation by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) or Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
- CPT
- 80345
- SNOMED
- 395112001
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL of serum (minimum 0.5 mL)
- Stability
- Serum stable for 24 hours at room temperature (15-25°C), 7 days refrigerated at 2-8°C, and up to 30 days frozen at -20°C or below. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 25
- TAT
- 4–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Barbiturates test is a laboratory test that detects the presence of barbiturate drugs in your blood serum. Barbiturates are a class of medications that act as central nervous system depressants. They are prescribed for various medical conditions including epilepsy, insomnia, and as anesthetic agents during surgery.
This test uses your blood sample to determine whether barbiturate substances are present. The test result is typically reported as either 'Present' or 'Not Detected', indicating whether barbiturates were found in your bloodstream at the time the sample was taken.
Reference range
NCBI: Uric Acid Male 3.5-7.2 mg/dL; Female 2.5-6.8 mg/dLN/A
No fasting required. Specimen should be collected prior to administration of next dose for therapeutic monitoring. Inform the laboratory of all medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements, as barbiturates may cross-react with other substances.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Monitoring therapeutic drug levels: For patients taking prescribed barbiturates (such as phenobarbital for seizures), this test helps ensure the drug level is within the therapeutic range and not reaching toxic levels.
Detecting overdose or toxicity: Barbiturate overdose can cause serious symptoms including respiratory depression, coma, and potentially death. This test helps healthcare providers diagnose and treat overdose situations.
Evaluating unexplained symptoms: If a patient presents with symptoms like excessive drowsiness, confusion, or slow breathing, this test can help determine if barbiturates are the cause.
Compliance monitoring: The test may be used to verify that patients are taking their prescribed medications as directed.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need this test?
How is the test performed?
Do I need to prepare for the test?
What do the results mean?
Are there risks to this test?
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 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy