Benzodiazcfmmethur
A confirmatory urine test to detect benzodiazepines, a class of prescription medications used for anxiety and sleep disorders.
{"This test confirms the presence of benzodiazepine drugs in urine","It is often used after a positive screening test to verify results","Benzodiazepines include common medications like Valium, Xanax, and Ativan","The test detects drug metabolites that remain in urine for days after use","Results help healthcare providers monitor medication use or investigate potential misuse"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 19286-4
- Short code
- BENZOC
- Synonyms
- Benzodiaz Cfm Meth Ur
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof urine collection container without preservatives; preferably a tamper-evident container for chain-of-custody specimens
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 100
- Ref high
- 300
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- Confirmatory method such as Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) or Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
- CPT
- 80346
- SNOMED
- 442121009
- Specimen volume
- 30-50 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 48 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C or below): 30 days for forensic specimens
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Benzodiazepines Confirmatory Test in Urine is a laboratory test that detects the presence of benzodiazepines and their metabolites in a urine sample. Benzodiazepines are a class of prescription medications commonly prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, muscle relaxation, and seizure control. Common benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), and temazepam (Restoril).
This is a confirmatory test, meaning it is typically performed after an initial screening test shows a positive result. Confirmatory tests use more sophisticated methods to specifically identify which benzodiazepine is present and verify the screening result. The test detects drug metabolites—the substances your body produces when it breaks down the medication—which can remain in urine for several days after use.
Reference range
Not applicable (qualitative or semi-quantitative confirmatory test); cutoff threshold typically 100-300 ng/mL depending on specific benzodiazepine analyteN/A
No special preparation required. Patient should be informed of the purpose of the test, and written consent may be required for forensic or workplace testing. Patients should provide a complete medication history including prescription benzodiazepines, as these may cause positive results.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is primarily used to verify positive screening results for benzodiazepines. Healthcare providers may order this test for several reasons: to monitor patients on benzodiazepine therapy and ensure proper medication use, to investigate suspected drug misuse or overdose, to evaluate patients presenting with symptoms of benzodiazepine intoxication or withdrawal, or as part of a comprehensive drug testing panel for employment, legal, or medical purposes.
Understanding the specific benzodiazepine present helps healthcare providers make informed decisions about patient care, including dosage adjustments, treatment planning, or addressing potential dependency issues. The test can also help distinguish between legitimate prescription use and unauthorized drug use.
Frequently asked questions
How is this test different from a benzodiazepine screening test?
How long do benzodiazepines stay in urine?
Do I need to prepare for this test?
Can this test detect prescription use versus misuse?
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