Lab-based testing for ecstasy

Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA) is a drug once predominantly used socially but research shows that ecstasy is moving beyond the club scene and into everyday life. According to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 10.9 million Americans age 12 or older tried MDMA at least once in their lifetime.

The adverse effects of MDMA include confusion, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, nausea, sweating, chills, dry mouth, increased blood pressure and heart rate, memory loss, muscle tension, tremors and blurred vision.

Quest Diagnostics utilizes an ecstasy screen that uses enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), the same state-of-the-art technology used for other workplace drug tests. The EIA screen produces results faster and easier than previously used technology. Testing for ecstasy can easily be added to your current drug-testing panel. If the EIA result is non-negative, the drug test specimen will undergo confirmatory testing using GC/MS technology.

For more information about drug testing, visit our website.