DTPM’s Industrial Laboratory Expands Test Menu for Judicial Clients

The DTPM Industrial Laboratory announced a test menu expansion to meet the needs of our judicial clients. Some of the new drugs do not have commercial testing kits available. The DTPM Industrial Laboratory uses Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine the presence and concentration of drugs in its comprehensive test menu.

Many of these drugs are prescribed by clinicians to patients; however, these drugs are often seen in substance use situations. Judicial clients may need to test for these substances to ensure the integrity of their drug court programs. The list of new drugs and their cutoffs are listed:

Drug	Cutoff
Fentanyl/Norfentanyl	2 ng/mL (previously 10 ng/mL)
Xylazine	50 ng/mL
Mitragynine (Kratom)	10 ng/mL
Carisoprodol (Soma® , Vanadom®)	50 ng/mL
Pregabalin (Lyrica®)	500 ng/mL
Gabapentin (Neurontin®)	500 ng/mL
Tianeptine & Tianeptine MC5 Metabolite	10 ng/mL
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril® , Amrix®)	50 ng/mL
Ritalinic Acid*  (Ritalin® , Methylin®, Concerta®)	50 ng/mL

*Ritalinic Acid is the major metabolite to accompany our current Methylphenidate test.

Drug Overview

Fentanyl/Norfentanyl¹

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug prescribed for use as an analgesic and anesthetic in the United States. Drug cartels manufacture illicit fentanyl at much higher doses. Street names are Apache, China Girl, China Town, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfellas, Great Bear, He-Man, Jackpot, King Ivory, Murder 8, and Tango & Cash. Clandestinely produced fentanyl is encountered either as a powder or in counterfeit tablets and is sold alone or in combination with other drugs such as heroin or cocaine The DTPM Industrial Laboratory has always offered testing for fentanyl and norfentanyl, the major metabolite,  but we have lowered the cutoff from 10 ng/mL to 2 ng/mL. Fentanyl is listed as a Schedule II drug on the DEA Schedule.

Xylazine²

Xylazine is used in the veterinary industry as a non-opioid tranquilizer, and it not intended for human consumption. Xylazine is a central nervous system depressant that causes drowsiness, amnesia, slow breathing, slow heart rate and dangerously low blood pressure. The street name is Tranq. Drug cartels are adding xylazine to illicit opioids, such as fentanyl, to lengthen the euphoric effects of fentanyl.  These illicit drugs can be injected, snorted, swallowed, or inhaled. When injected, xylazine can cause cellular necrosis at the site of injection and has resulted in serious infections and in some cases, amputations. Currently, xylazine is not listed on the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Schedule.

Mitragynine (Kratom)³

Mitragynine is extracted from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia.  Consumption produces opioid-like stimulant effects in low doses and sedative effects in high doses.  Use can lead to psychotic episodes and dependency. Currently, mitragynine is not listed on the DEA Schedule; however, it is listed as a Drug of Concern.  Some states have regulated or prohibited possession and use of mitragynine.  Common street names are Thang, Kakuam, and Blak. It is found as dried leaves, powder, liquid, or chewing gum.

Carisoprodol⁴ (Soma^®, Vanadom^®)

Carisoprodol is a prescription drug marketed since 1959 as a centrally acting muscle relaxer for relief of acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.  When ingested, it acts on the central nervous system causing drowsiness, dizziness, and vertigo. It may also cause tachycardia, postural hypotension, and facial flushing.  Carisoprodol is listed as a Schedule IV drug on the DEA Schedule.

Pregabalin⁵ (Lyrica^®)

Pregabalin is a prescription drug used to treat epileptic seizures and nerve pain by slowing down brain impulses. It has also been prescribed to treat various types of nerve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy or shingles caused by the herpes zoster virus, fibromyalgia, and spinal cord injuries. Common street names are Buds, Budweisers, and Fizers. Users experience feelings of euphoria, happiness, excitement, calmness, and a “high” similar to using marijuana. Pregabalin is listed as a Schedule V drug on the DEA Schedule.

Gabapentin⁶ (Neurontin^®)

Gabapentin is a prescription drug used to treat seizures and nerve pain and similar to Pregabalin as described above.  Street names are Gabbies and Johnnies. Unlike Pregabalin, gabapentin is not listed on the DEA Schedule.

Tianeptine⁷

While Tianeptine is available in other countries for depression, asthma, and irritable bowel syndrome, it has not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any medical or commercial use. Street names are Zaza, Tia, Tianna, and Gas-Station Heroin. Users experience euphoric effects similar to other opioids.  Currently, tianeptine is not listed on the DEA Schedule.

Cyclobenzaprine⁸ (Flexeril^®, Amrix^®)

Cyclobenzaprine is prescribed as a central nervous system relaxant for short-term use in the treatment of pain, tenderness, or limitation of motion caused by muscle spasms. Users experience euphoria and relaxation, and it is often taken in combination with other illicit drugs to enhance psychoactive effects.  Currently, Cyclobenzaprine is not listed on the DEA Schedule.

Ritalinic Acid⁹ (Ritalin^®, Methylin^®, Concerta^®)

Ritalinic Acid is the major metabolite of Methylphenidate, which is a prescription drug and a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These drugs are abused for the stimulant effects, appetite suppression, feelings of wakefulness, euphoria, or increased attentiveness.  Street names are Kibbles & Bits, Diet Coke, R Pop, Coke Junior, Jif, and Study Buddies.  The DTPM Industrial Laboratory is adding Ritalinic Acid to the existing Methylphenidate test to ensure reliable detection.

DTPM’s Mission

DTPM’s mission is to help fight drug dependency, regardless of use of prescription drugs or illicit drugs. We offer drug testing solutions, both screening and confirmation testing, to a variety of testing facilities such as drug courts, treatment centers, physician office labs, reference labs and more. Our screening solutions provide flexibility to a testing site by offering simple point-of-care (POC) test cups or more specific instrumented drug immunoassays. DTPM’s Industrial Laboratory offers drug confirmation testing for those judicial testing sites that require confirmatory results. General testing supplies such as gloves, lint-free wipes and pipet tips are also available.

Contact us today to learn how DTPM can help you achieve success in this war on the opioid crisis.

On February 1, 2024   /   Articles, What's New