Benzodiazepines
Also known as Benzodiazepines BloodWhat is this test?
Benzodiazepines Blood Test measures the levels of a class of benzodiazepines medicines in the blood. This test is used in the assessment of benzodiazepines use and overdose.
What are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines are a group of medicines that are used to depress the central nervous system. These medicines work by binding to certain chemicals in the brain and helps in relieving the symptoms. It is used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. It helps uneasiness, difficulty in sleeping, prevent seizures, relax muscle spasms, etc. These medicines are broadly classified into four groups namely antianxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, antiseizure medicines, and sedative-hypnotic (sleeping pills).
Benzodiazepines that are commonly used for the treatment of anxiety disorders, seizures, and muscle spasms are clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, oxazepam, etc. Commonly used sedative-hypnotic (sleeping pills) are estazolam, triazolam, temazepam, flurazepam, etc.
The levels of these medicines in the blood should be within a certain range to avoid serious side effects. Higher than the normal levels of these medicines may result in toxicity and cause serious adverse effects to the body. These medicines are also abused or sometimes used illegally. It can be habit forming and chronic abuse leads to addiction.
Assessing the levels of benzodiazepines in the blood may help to monitor the dose of benzodiazepines during therapy. It also helps in the assessment of benzodiazepines use and overdose.
Why this test is performed?
This test is performed to monitor the dose of benzodiazepines during therapy and also helps in the assessment of benzodiazepines use and overdose. Your doctor may ask you to perform this test to monitor the benzodiazepines levels in the blood and to detect high or low concentrations. The dose of benzodiazepines should be appropriate to prevent the symptoms, but not too much as to cause any unwanted side effects. Individuals who are on therapy with benzodiazepines your doctor may advise you to perform this test at regular intervals throughout the therapy to ensure that the dose is appropriate.
Your doctor may ask you to perform this test if you experience any signs and symptoms of benzodiazepines overdose such as altered mental status, coma, drowsiness, slurred speech, low blood pressure, unconsciousness, sluggishness, abnormal breathing, etc. However, your doctor may ask to perform a few more additional tests along with this test to check whether these symptoms are due to benzodiazepines overdose or due to any other cause.
This test is also performed in individuals who are not on therapy with benzodiazepines if your doctor suspects you are abusing the medicines illegally or without a prescription.
Precautions:
Older adults and individuals with liver disease may give false positive or false negative results.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Benzodiazepines. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Benzodiazepines.
No specific preparation is required for this test. However, if you are on therapy with benzodiazepines medicines your healthcare provider may ask you information regarding the dosage timing and formulation type of the medicine to decide the proper timing of sample collection.
Understanding your test results
The test results may be different depending on gender, age, health conditions, and other factors.
If the test results show higher benzodiazepines levels than the normal range in the blood it may indicate benzodiazepines overdose. Individuals receiving benzodiazepines therapy, the higher levels may indicate a need for dose adjustment. Individuals who are not on therapy with benzodiazepines a positive result may indicate benzodiazepines use which can be abuse.
If the test results show lower benzodiazepines levels than the therapeutic range (a range at which the medicines shows its action) in the blood in individuals receiving benzodiazepines therapy, it may indicate a poor response to the treatment and a need for dose adjustment. Individuals who are not on therapy with benzodiazepines a negative result may indicate no use of benzodiazepines or abuse.
Based on the test results, your doctor may advise appropriate medical treatments or further diagnostic tests.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | Therapeutic range of various Benzodiazipines range from 0.5 to 50ng/ml |