| Description: |
The benzodiazepines are a group of over 20 structurally related central nervous system depressant drugs, each group varying considerably in their potency and clinical effects. The benzodiazepines are the most widely prescribed sedative/hypnotic drugs due to their wide range of uses(2, 4, 5). They are prescribed to treat anxiety, stress and insomnia. They are also used both as pre-medication and for induction of general anaesthesia. Specific uses include the management of alcohol withdrawal, control of epileptic fits and relief of muscle spasms(6). Benzodiazepines are extensively metabolised by the liver by processes of N-dealkylation and hydroxylation and only trace amounts of the parent compound appear in the urine. Many benzodiazepine metabolites are excreted in urine as glucuronide tracers.
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2. Simpson D., Braithwaite RA., Jarvie DR., Stewart MJ., WalkerS., Watson IW and Widdop B. Screening for drugs of abuse (II): cannabinoids, lysergic acid diethylamide, buprenorphine, methadone, barbiturates, benzodiazepines and other drugs, Ann Clin Biochem, 1997, 34: 460-497. 4. Beselt RC. Urine Drug Screening by Immunoassay: Interpretation of Results. In: Beselt RC, Advances in Analytical Toxicology, vol 1, chapter 5, 97-102. 5. Wild D. (ed), The Immunoassay Handbook, second edition, Nature Publishing Group, London, Basingstoke, New York, 2001; 790-793 6. Wolff K, Garretty D and Hay AW. Micro-extraction of commonly abused benzodiazepines for urinary screening by liquid chromatography, Ann Clin Biochem, 1997; 34: 61-67
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