Barbiturates

Interpretation

  • If there is a question as to a patient's therapeutic compliance, a serum test request for the specific drug of interest may be of help.

Metabolites

  • Mephobarbital is metabolized to phenobarbital.

    Mephobarbital → Phenobarbital

Confirmation Tests:

Approximate Detection Times

Barbiturates LOQ (ng/mL) Detection Time* up to
Long-Acting
Phenobarbital 100 15 days
Intermediate-Acting
Butalbital 100 7 days
Amobarbital 100 3 days
Short-Acting
Pentobarbital 100 3 days
Secobarbital 100 3 days
*These are approximate detection times for the drug or metabolites in urine. The actual detection time depends on dose, frequency of use, and individual metabolism.