iCARE One Step Multi-Drug Screening Test: Formats, Procedures, and Applications

Drug abuse is a critical public health issue worldwide, necessitating rapid and accurate testing. The One Step Multi-Drug Screening Test provides a simple, quick solution for detecting a range of substances in urine. Its versatility in testing up to 14 substances in one step makes it a vital tool for medical professionals and organizations combating substance abuse.

Understanding the One Step Multi-Drug Screening Test

The One Step Multi-Drug Screening Test is a competitive lateral flow immunoassay that identifies drugs and their metabolites in human urine. Its key advantage is the ability to detect multiple substances simultaneously, making it an efficient solution for broad-spectrum drug screening.

Operating Procedures

3.1 Strip Format Procedure:

In the strip format, the test strip is immersed vertically into the urine specimen for 10-15 seconds, with arrows pointing toward the sample. The result appears within three minutes. The strip format is the most basic and involves immersing a test strip into the urine specimen.

The strip is designed to detect up to 14 different drugs by analyzing the interaction of the urine with the test’s antibodies.

The procedure involves immersing the strip in the urine for about 10-15 seconds. Once the reddish color appears at the lower edge of the test membrane, the strip can be removed and the results interpreted within 3 minutes.

3.2 Card Format Procedure:

For the card format, the bottom end of the strip is dipped into the urine specimen for the same duration. A reddish color at the strip’s lower edge indicates a correct immersion.

  • The card format is similar to the strip format but involves a card with built-in test strips that can detect up to 14 drugs in a single test.
  • The procedure includes dipping the bottom end of the test card into the urine specimen for about 10-15 seconds until a reddish color appears at the lower edge of the test membrane. Results should be interpreted within 3 minutes.

3.3 Cup Format Procedure:

The cup format involves adding urine into the cup and securing the lid. Test strips inside the cup reveal results after three minutes.

  • The cup format is more sophisticated, allowing a convenient way to handle the urine specimen and interpret the results directly from the cup.
  • In this format, the test strips are integrated into the cup. The user simply adds the urine specimen to the cup, secures the lid, and waits for 3 minutes to interpret the results.

Drug Panels Detected by the Test

4.1 Overview of Detected Drugs:

The One Step Multi-Drug Screening Test can detect up to 14 drug types, including amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and more.

4.2 Commonly Detected Drugs and Metabolites:

Specific drug classes include barbiturates, tricyclic antidepressants, and methadone, reflecting a broad range of potential substances of abuse.

Drugs Detected:

The One Step Multi-Drug Screening Test, regardless of format, can detect a range of substances, including:

  • Amphetamines (AMP)
  • Benzodiazepines (BZO)
  • Barbiturates (BAR)
  • Cocaine (COC)
  • Opiates (OPI)
  • Methamphetamine (MET)
  • Marijuana (THC)
  • Methadone
  • Phencyclidine (PCP)
  • MDMA (Ecstasy)
  • Buprenorphine (BUP)
  • Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA)
  • Ketamine hydrochloride (KET)
  • Tramadol (TRA)

Interpreting the Results

5.1 Timeframe for Reading Results:

Results should be interpreted within three minutes of testing but not read after eight minutes to ensure accuracy.

5.2 Understanding Positive and Negative Results:

A positive result appears if the test line is absent while the control line is visible. Both lines appearing indicate a negative result.

Conclusion

The One Step Multi-Drug Screening Test is a robust tool for multi-drug detection. It empowers healthcare professionals to deliver accurate and prompt results through its versatile formats, making it indispensable in clinical settings.

FAQs – Multi-Drug Screening Test

How long should the test strip be immersed?

For 10-15 seconds until a reddish color appears at the strip's lower edge.

What does the Multi-Drug Screening test detect?

It detects a variety of drugs, including amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine, and more.

How many drugs can the test detect in one step of Multi-Drug Screening test?

It can detect up to 14 different drugs.

When should the results of Multi-Drug Screening test be read?

Results should be read at three minutes but not after eight minutes.

What indicates a positive result in Multi-Drug Screening test?

The absence of a test line while a control line is visible.

<< 1 >>


About Author:

JAL Medical Singapore
Mr. Andre Han

Managing Director, JAL Medical Singapore

Mr. Andre Han is the Managing Director of JAL Medical Singapore, a strategic subsidiary of a publicly listed biomedical manufacturer headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan. The parent company is internationally recognized for its ISO 13485 and GMP-certified production capabilities, delivering high-quality diagnostic solutions to global healthcare markets.
With over 20 years of experience in the medical device industry, Mr. Han brings deep expertise in commercial strategy, product development, and international market expansion. He oversees a comprehensive portfolio that includes in-vitro diagnostic test kits and proprietary blood glucose monitoring systems tailored for both clinical and home environments. Under Mr. Han’s leadership, JAL Medical has:

  • Distributed hundreds of millions of rapid diagnostic test kits globally
  • Secured long-term national tenders in South Africa
  • Expanded into key markets including Laos, Mongolia, Ghana, Kenya, Ukraine, Nigeria, and Japan
Beyond commercial operations, Mr. Han spearheads consultancy initiatives focused on:
  • Rapid test innovation and development
  • Facility optimization and regulatory alignment
  • Enhancing quality, reliability, and affordability across product lines
His strategic vision and commitment to innovation continue to position JAL Medical Singapore as a trusted provider of accessible, high-performance healthcare technologies worldwide.