Rapid Strep Test (Rapid Antigen Detection Test for Group A Streptococcus)
A urine test to check whether benzodiazepine medications are present in your system.
{"A negative result means no benzodiazepines were detected in your urine","Benzodiazepines are common sedative medications used for anxiety, sleep, and muscle relaxation","This test is often used for medication monitoring, drug screening, or evaluating symptoms"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 3385-2
- Short code
- BENZUR
- Synonyms
- Benzodiaz Neg Ur
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof urine specimen container (plastic or glass) with secure screw-cap lid. For forensic or chain-of-custody testing, use tamper-evident container with temperature strip.
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- Immunoassay screening (e.g., EMIT, ELISA, or lateral flow) with confirmation by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) or Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
- CPT
- 80307 (presumptive drug screening, any drug class) or 80346 (benzodiazepines, definitive confirmation). May also be reported under G0477-G0479 for insurance billing.
- SNOMED
- 250705001 (Uine benzodiazepines screening test) or 394746001 (Benzodiazepine screening)
- Specimen volume
- 30 to 60 mL of random urine; minimum 10 mL for screening assay.
- Stability
- Refrigerated (2 to 8°C): up to 7 days. Frozen (-20°C or below): up to 30 days for confirmation testing. Room temperature (20 to 25°C): up to 48 hours. Add no preservatives unless required by laboratory protocol.
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
The rapid strep test is a quick diagnostic test used to detect Group A Streptococcus bacteria, the most common bacterial cause of strep throat. It helps your healthcare provider determine whether your sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection that needs antibiotic treatment or by a virus, which does not respond to antibiotics.
This test analyzes your urine sample to detect the presence of benzodiazepines, which are a class of prescription sedative medications. Common benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and clonazepam (Klonopin). The test result is either positive (benzodiazepines detected) or negative (no benzodiazepines detected).
During the test, your healthcare provider will ask you to open your mouth wide and will use a soft cotton swab to gently rub the back of your throat and both tonsils. The swab may briefly cause a gagging sensation. The sample is then mixed with a testing solution, and results are usually ready within 10 to 15 minutes.
A urine sample is collected in a clean container. The sample is then sent to a laboratory where it is analyzed using immunoassay techniques or mass spectrometry. You do not need to fast or prepare in any special way for this test. Simply provide a urine sample as instructed by your healthcare provider.
A negative result means that Group A Streptococcus bacteria were not found in your throat sample, and your sore throat is more likely caused by a viral infection such as the common cold. Because a negative rapid test can occasionally miss an infection, your provider may order a follow-up throat culture, especially in children, before deciding that antibiotics are not needed.
A negative result means that no benzodiazepines were detected in your urine at the time of testing. This could mean several things: you have not taken any benzodiazepine medication recently, the medication has already been processed and eliminated from your body, or the amount present is below the test's detection threshold. It is important to discuss your results with your healthcare provider, who will interpret them in the context of your medical history and current symptoms.
The rapid strep test cannot detect other types of bacteria that may cause throat infections, and it does not distinguish between an active infection and a person who carries the bacteria without symptoms. False negative results can occur, so a confirmatory throat culture may be recommended when clinical suspicion remains high despite a negative result.
This test has some limitations. Different benzodiazepines stay in the body for varying lengths of time, so a negative result does not necessarily mean no benzodiazepine was ever taken—it may simply mean the drug has been eliminated. Some medications or supplements may interfere with test results. Additionally, this test detects the presence of benzodiazepines but does not measure the amount or indicate level of impairment.
Reference range
Negative. A negative result indicates the absence of benzodiazepines or their metabolites at or above the established screening cutoff concentration.N/A
No special patient preparation is required. Patients should be informed that certain prescription and over-the-counter medications may cross-react with benzodiazepine immunoassays. Collection should be observed in forensic or workplace drug-testing scenarios to prevent adulteration or substitution.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is commonly used for several purposes: monitoring patients on benzodiazepine therapy to ensure compliance, screening for drug misuse or abuse in clinical or occupational settings, evaluating patients with unexplained symptoms such as drowsiness or confusion, and assessing potential benzodiazepine overdose in emergency situations. A negative result in the context of suspected overdose does not rule out benzodiazepine involvement, as the drug may already have been metabolized and eliminated.
Frequently asked questions
How long do benzodiazepines stay in urine?
Can a negative result be wrong?
Will a prescription benzodiazepine show up on this test?
Do over-the-counter medications affect this test?
Sources
- 1
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- 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