American Clinical Solutions Provides Test Services for Diazepam in Both Urine and Oral Fluid

Tampa, FL, May 20, 2013 --(PR.com)-- American Clinical Solutions now provides extensive testing services for Diazepam in both urine and oral fluid. Diazepam, a benzodiazepine drug, has been commonly prescribed as anti-anxiety agent, skeletal muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant. A common question our toxicologist fields is, "Why is diazepam not detected in urine when the patients is prescribed diazepam, while several other seemingly unrelated benzodiazepines, including nordiazepam, oxazepam and temazepam, showed up on the test report?" The answer to this question lies in the pharmacokinetic properties of diazepam. Among benzodiazepines, diazepam exhibits a prolonged eliminating process. The elimination half-life of diazepam after oral administration is about 21-37 hours in healthy individuals. Like several other benzodiazepines, in human body, diazepam undergoes hepatic phase I and II metabolism mediated by cytochrome P450s system (CYPs) and glucuronidase, and generates several pharmacologically active metabolites.

The metabolites of diazepam, i.e. nordiazepam, temazepam, and oxazepam, have their own elimination process. Previous studies have shown that in urine only trace amount of diazepam can be found, 33% of a diazepam dose is excreted as oxazepam glucuronide, and another 20% as conjugates of nordiazepam, temazepam, and other minor metabolites. By now, one can easily understand why diazepam was not found in some patients' urinary samples, since, by the time of sample collection, most of the diazepam dose had been converted to its metabolites. Therefore, the adherence to the diazepam would be better monitored by looking at diazepam as well as its major metabolites, nordiazepam, temazepam, and oxazepam.

Cheng Fang, MD., PH D., DABT | cheng.fang@americanclinicalsolutions.com

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American Clinical Solutions is a leader in providing healthcare providers and medical facilities with accurate urine drug confirmation services for both prescription and illicit narcotics.