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Drug Test Glossary

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Note: Definitions are expressed in terms applicable to the subjects of drug testing and pharmacology. Some terms may possess inherently different meanings when applied to other fields of study.

Accuracy: The ability of a test device to produce a reading that matches the known value for the sample.

Amnestic: An agent used for the treatment of impaired memory function.

Analgesic: An agent that relieves pain selectively without affecting consciousness or sensory perception.

Anesthetic (General): An agent that produces unconsciousness as well as diminishing or eliminating the sensation of pain.

Anesthetic (Local): An agent that diminishes or eliminates the sensation of pain on or in the specific region of the body where it is applied.

Antihyperbilirubinemic: An agent used for the treatment of antihyperbilirubinemia (jaundice) - a common disorder in newborns wherein the chemical "bilirubin" accumulates in the infant's blood and causes a yellow hue.

Antitussive: An agent that suppresses coughing.

Anxiolytic: A mild sedative used for relief of anxiety.

Cannabinoid: Any of the active principles of Cannabis Sativa (marijuana), including, but not limited to, THC.

Central Nervous System (CNS): Body system comprised of the brain and spinal cord.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressant: An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant: An agent that amplifies brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.

Cross-reactivity: The degree in which substances other than the target compound are shown to generate positive test results.

Cutoff Concentration: The specific concentration of drug or drug metabolite in the sample that is chosen as a limit to distinguish a positive from a negative test result. Samples with concentrations above the cutoff level are considered positive and results below are considered negative.

Depressant: An agent that diminishes a body function or activity.

False Negative Test Result: A test result which states that no drug is present when, in fact, a tested drug or metabolite is present in an amount greater the cutoff concentration.

False Positive Test Result: A test result which states that a drug or metabolite is present when, in fact, the drug or metabolite is not present or is present in an amount less than the cutoff concentration.

Hallucinogen: An agent that distorts sensory perceptions, sometimes resulting in sensory illusions which may be mild or extreme.

Hypnotic: An agent that induces sleep.

Interference: The effect that a compound (or group of compounds) has on the accuracy of test measurement.

Metabolite: A modified form or byproduct of a drug produced by the body's metabolic process.

Narcotic (Narcotic-Analgesic): An agent that relieves pain through depression of the central nervous system.

Negative Test Result: A test result which states that no drug or metabolite is present or no drug or metabolite is present in an amount greater the cutoff concentration.

Positive Test Result: A test result which states that a drug or metabolite is present.

Precision: The ability of a test device to produce the same value during repeated measurements.

Quantitative Test Result: A test result expressed in numerical terms in order to determine the specific quantity of drug or drug metabolite present in the sample.

Qualitative Test Result: A test result expressed in non-numerical terms in order to determine the presence or absence of drug or drug metabolite in the sample.

Reproducibility: The ability of a test device to produce the same value during repeated measurements in various laboratories which are participating in a collaborative study.

Sedative: An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement. In general, sedatives depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.

Sedative-Hypnotic: An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.

Sensitivity: For quantitative test devices: The smallest concentration of a drug or drug metabolite that produces a response distinguishable from the background or blank value. For qualitative test devices: The minimum concentration of a drug or drug metabolite that is capable of generating a positive test result. In qualitative test devices, this amount is generally the same as the cutoff concentration.

Specificity: The ability of a test device to determine exclusively the drug and/or drug metabolites that are claimed to be detected without cross-reacting with other related substances that are not intended to be detected.

Stimulant: An agent that amplifies a body function or activity.

Target Drug/Metabolite: The drug or metabolite that the test device is designed to detect.

Tranquilizer: An agent used for relief of anxiety.

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