NOW-- DrugCheck® makes it easy to screen for ethyl alcohol in human urine with just one simple test. (To purchase: click "add alcohol strip" at time of ordering. Available in 4-12 panel configurations.)

This first-for-providers test is a rapid enzymatic method that detects the presence of alcohol in urine greater than 0.04%; providing preliminary analytical data.

Procedure for Screening

Purchase a cup with the alcohol strip and:

1.      Have client void in cup.

2.      Read the alcohol strip results within two minutes or less.

Quick Q&A

Q. How does this work?

A. This first test of its kind provides preliminary analytical data by detecting the presence of alcohol in urine greater than 0.04%.

Q. How long after someone stops drinking is this test effective?

A. Up to 6 to 8 hours after the last drink.

Q. When should I read the results?

A. Results for the alcohol test must be read within two minutes. After 5 minutes the color reactive pad may vary in color. Additional drug screening results may be read after four to five minutes.

Q. When it’s time to dispose of the test, how should this be handled?

A. None of the test strips are considered bio-hazardous; they can be disposed of as you do other onsite screening products.

Q. How long does it take for alcohol to register on one of these tests?

A. Depending on consumption, you will be able to detect alcohol in the urine approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.                                                                                       

 Principle of the Procedure

The DrugCheck® Alcohol Rapid Test is based on the high specificity of alcohol oxidase (ALOx) for ethyl alcohol in the presence of peroxidase and enzyme substrate, such as tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). When the human urine, which may or may not contain alcohol, comes in contact with the DrugCheck® reactive pad in a screening cup or dip screen, the reactive pad will turn a color. (While alcohols such as methyl, propanol and allyl alcohol could show similar colors on the reactive pad, these alcohols are not normally present in urine.)

Interpretation of Results

 Negative:   

1.  Almost no color change is seen on the test pad.  The concentration of ethyl alcohol in urine is less than .04%.

Positive: 

2.  A light light/faint green indicates that the concentration of ethyl alcohol in urine is approximately 04%.

3.  Medium green indicates concentration of ethyl alcohol in urine is approximately .08%

4.  Dark green indicates concentration of ethyl alcohol in urine is approximately .20%

Alcohol Test Color Chart – comes with each test for ease of use and comparison.  Please use the chart that comes with your order.  Color Chart below is an example only.

The results correspond with breath alcohol levels and can be read effectively for 6 to 8 hours from the last drink.

Performance Characteristics

Sensitivity:  The DrugCheck® Alcohol Rapid Tests are designed for detection of alcohol in urine at the detection sensitivity of 20mg/dL. In sensitivity studies performed, samples with concentrations of alcohol equal to or higher than 20mg/dL were identified as positive results for all samples. Results of within-lot reproducibility studies clearly showed excellent repeatability for all positive and negative urine samples using one lot of the tests.

Interference:  The following commonly used substances (at tested concentrations) did not interfere in the tests:

Acetaminophen                       20 mg/dL

Caffeine                                  20 mg/dL

Glucose                                   2,000 mg/dL

Hemoglobin                            1 mg/dL

Human Serum Protein             2,000 mg/dL

The following substances, while not normally present in sufficient amounts in urine, may interfere with the test:

Strong oxidizers                      Ascorbic acid

Tannic acid                             Polyphenolic compounds

Mercaptans                            Uric acid

Bilirubin                                  Oxalic acid

Accuracy and equivalency comparisons were evaluated against 86 individual external SAMHSA-certified clinical laboratory samples. When compared, the relative sensitivity or percent agreement of DrugCheck® Alcohol Test positive samples with the external clinical study was 93.2%.  Negative samples recovered a relative specificity of 95.2%. The overall relative accuracy obtained was 94.2%

The Fine Print

• The DrugCheck® Alcohol Rapid Test is designed for in vitro detection use with human urine only. A positive result indicates only the presence of alcohol and does not indicate or measure intoxication.
• There is a possibility that technical or procedural error as well as other substances in certain foods and medicines may interfere with the test and cause false results. Please refer to the “interference” section for list of substances that may interfere with results.
• This diagnostic test provides a semi-quantitative screening for alcohol in urine. It is not to be used for quantitative determination of alcohol concentration in urine. To confirm concentration an alternate, non-enzymatic technology such as headspace gas chromatography, should be used.
• Adulterants, such as bleach or other strong oxidizing agents, may produce erroneous test results when added to urine specimens, regardless of the analysis method used. If an adulteration is suspected, a fresh urine specimen should be used.