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The Rapid Exams Multi-Drug Test is a lateral flow

chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of multiple drugs and drug

metabolites in urine at the following cut-off concentrations:

Ä9-THC-9 COOH 50 ng/mL

Methadone (MTD) Methadone 300 ng/mL

Methamphetamine(MET) D-Methamphetamine 1,000 ng/mL

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine

(MDMA)

D,L Methylenedioxymethamphetamine

500 ng/mL

Opiates (OPI 300) Morphine 300 ng/mL

Opiates (OPI 2000) Morphine 2,000 ng/mL

Oxycodone (OXY) Oxycodone 100 ng/mL

Phencyclidine (PCP) Phencyclidine 25 ng/mL

Propoxyphene (PPX) Propoxyphene 300 ng/mL

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA) Nortriptyline 1,000 ng/mL

Buprenorphine Buprenorphine 10 ng/mL

The Rapid Exams Multi-Drug Test is a competitive immunoassay utilizing highly specific

reactions between antibodies and antigens for the detection of multiple drugs and

drug metabolites in human urine. The Rapid Exams Multi-Drug Test is a rapid urine

screening test that utilizes monoclonal antibodies to selectively detect elevated levels of

Barbiturates produce a wide spectrum of central

nervous system depression, from mild sedation to coma, and have been used as sedatives,

hypnotics, anesthetics, and anticonvulsants. Barbiturates are classified as ultrashort,

short, intermediate, and long-acting. These drugs are primarily used for insomnia and

preoperative sedation daytime sedation and the treatment of seizure disorders. Veterinarians

use pentobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, for anesthesia and euthanasia.

Barbiturates are common drugs of abuse taken orally or intravenously. They

produce symptoms similar to intoxication. Chronic use will develop tolerance, physical

dependence and psychological dependence on barbiturates. Overdoses can cause

profound shock, coma, or death.

Shorter acting barbiturates (Allobarbital, Alphenal, Amobarbital, Aprobarbital,

Butabarbital, Butalbital, Butethal, Pentobarbital, Secobarbital) can be detected for only 1 to

4 days, while long-acting barbiturates (Barbital, Phenobarbital) can be detected for 2 to 3

weeks. Normally the suggested detection period for the Barbiturates in urine is 4 to 7 days.

The Rapid Exams Multi-Drug Test yields a positive result when the Barbiturates

(Secobarbital) in urine exceed 300 ng/mL.

Benzodiazepines are medications that are

frequently prescribed for the symptomatic treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders.

They produce their effects via specific receptors involving a neurochemical called

gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). Because they are safer and more effective, Benzodiazepines

have replaced barbiturates in the treatment of both anxiety and insomnia.

Benzodiazepines are also used as sedatives before some surgical and medical

procedures, and for the treatment of seizure disorders and alcohol withdrawal.

Risk of physical dependence increases if Benzodiazepines are taken regularly

(e.g., daily) for more than a few months, especially at higher than normal doses.

Stopping abruptly can bring on such symptoms as trouble sleeping, gastrointestinal

upset, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, sweating, trembling, weakness, anxiety and

changes in perception.

Only trace amounts (less than 1%) of most Benzodiazepines are excreted

unaltered in the urine; most of the concentration in urine is conjugated drug. The

detection period for the Benzodiazepines in the urine is 3-7 days.

The Rapid Exams Multi-Drug Test yields a positive result when the

Benzodiazepines in urine exceed 300 ng/mL.

Cocaine is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant and

a local anesthetic. Initially, it brings about extreme energy and restlessness while gradually

resulting in tremors, over-sensitivity and spasms. In large amounts, cocaine causes

fever, unresponsiveness, difficulty in breathing and unconsciousness.

Cocaine is often self-administered by nasal inhalation, intravenous injection

and free-base smoking. It is excreted in the urine in a short time primarily as

Benzoylecgonine.2.4 Benzoylecgonine, a major metabolite of cocaine, has a longer

biological half-life (5-8 hours) than cocaine (0.5-1.5 hours), and can generally be

detected for 24-48 hours after cocaine exposure.4

The Rapid Exams Multi-Drug Test yields a positive result when the cocaine

metabolite in urine exceeds 300 ng/mL. This is the suggested screening cut-off

for positive specimens set by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA, USA). 2

THC (Ä9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary active ingredient

in cannabis (marijuana). When smoked or orally administered, THC produces

euphoric effects. Users have impaired short term memory and slowed learning. They

may also experience transient episodes of confusion and anxiety. Long-term, relatively

heavy use may be associated with behavioral disorders. The peak effect of marijuana

administered by smoking occurs in 20-30 minutes and the duration is 90-120

minutes after one cigarette. Elevated levels of urinary metabolites are found within

hours of exposure and remain detectable for 3-10 days after smoking. The main

metabolite excreted in the urine is 11-nor-Ä9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (Ä9-THC-COOH).

The Rapid Exams Multi-Drug Test yields a positive result when the concentration

of THC-COOH in urine exceeds 50 ng/mL. This is the suggested screening cut-off

for positive specimens set by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA, USA). 2

Methadone is a narcotic analgesic prescribed for the

management of moderate to severe pain and for the treatment of opiate dependence

(heroin, Vicodin, Percocet, Morphine). The pharmacology of Oral Methadone is very

different from IV Methadone. Oral Methadone is partially stored in the liver for later use.

IV Methadone acts more like heroin. In most states you must go to a pain clinic or

a Methadone maintenance clinic to be prescribed Methadone. Methadone is a long

acting pain reliever producing effects that last from twelve to forty-eight hours. Ideally,

Methadone frees the client from the pressures of obtaining illegal heroin, from the

dangers of injection, and from the emotional roller coaster that most opiates produce.

Methadone, if taken for long periods and at large doses, can lead to a very long withdrawal

period. The withdrawals from Methadone are more prolonged and troublesome

than those provoked by heroin cessation, yet the substitution and phased removal of

methadone is an acceptable method of detoxification for patients and therapists.13

The Rapid Exams Multi-Drug Test yields a positive result when the Methadone in

urine exceeds 300 ng/mL.

Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant

drug that strongly activates certain systems in the brain. Methamphetamine is

closely related chemically to amphetamine, but the central nervous system effects of

Methamphetamine are greater. Methamphetamine is made in illegal laboratories and

has a high potential for abuse and dependence. The drug can be taken orally, injected,

or inhaled. Acute higher doses lead to enhanced stimulation of the central nervous

system and induce euphoria, alertness, reduced appetite, and a sense of increased

energy and power. Cardiovascular responses to Methamphetamine include increased

blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias. More acute responses produce anxiety,

paranoia, hallucinations, psychotic behavior, and eventually, depression and exhaustion.

The effects of Methamphetamine generally last 2-4 hours and the drug has a half-life

of 9-24 hours in the body. Methamphetamine is excreted in the urine as amphetamine

and oxidized and delaminated derivatives. However, 10-20% of Methamphetamine is

excreted unchanged. Thus, the presence of the parent compound in the urine indicates

Methamphetamine use. Methamphetamine is generally detectable in the urine for 3-5

days, depending on urine pH level.

The Rapid Exams Multi-Drug Test yields a positive result when the

Methamphetamine in urine exceeds 1,000 ng/mL.

MDMA, ECSTASY; 3,4-METHYLENEDIOXY-N-METHYLAMPHETAMINE was first identified by a DEA

Lab in 1972. MDMA is a Schedule 1 synthetic, psychoactive drug possessing stimulant

and hallucinogenic properties. MDMA possesses chemical variations of the stimulant

amphetamine or methamphetamine and a hallucinogen, most often mescaline.

Ecstasy is said to produce empathy, decreased anxiety, relaxation and heightened

senses. MDMA also suppresses appetite, thirst and the need to sleep. Because of this

in combination with dancing and increased activity can cause severe dehydration and

exhaustion. Adverse effects may include nausea, cold sweats, chills, hallucinations,

increased body temperature, tremors, teeth clenching, tremors, double vision and

muscle cramps. Long term after-effects of MDMA include anxiety, paranoia and

depression. This is most likely attributed to the decreased serotonin levels found in the

brain for up to three weeks after their last dose. The National Institute of Mental Health

conducted a study in 1998 to support this. It was found that the use of MDMA severely

damaged the neurons in the brain that transmit serotonin. Serotonin is the chemical that

is used in learning, sleep, and integration of emotion. The study concluded that even

recreational users of the drug might be at risk of developing permanent damage that

can manifest depression, anxiety, memory loss, and neuropsychotic disorders.

In addition to these troubling facts, recent research is pointing to the real cause

of the long term effects of MDMA. The drug acts primarily on the serotonin receptor

sites in the brain, enabling them to take in large quantities of serotonin. It also enables

them to take in other chemicals in the brain. Namely, it takes in dopamine and as the

serotonin receptor sites attempt to break the dopamine down, it produces hydrogen

peroxide. Which many researches believe is the cause of long term damage to serotonin receptors.

The Rapid Exams Multi-Drug Test yields a positive result when the Methylenediox

A side-by-side comparison was conducted using The Rapid Exams

Multi-Drug Test and other commercially available rapid drug tests. Testing was performed

on 120 specimens per drug type previously collected from subjects presenting

for drug screen testing. All the presumptive positive and negative results were confirmed

by GC/MS. The following compounds were quantified by GC/MS and contributed to the

total amount of drugs found in presumptive positive urine samples tested.

Reproducibility studies were carried out using commercially

available standards. Each standard was diluted in normal, drug-free urine to give the

appropriate concentration. Each specimen, at each concentration of analyte, was tested

four times daily, in duplicate, for five consecutive days. A total of 40 determinations were