Evaluation of Emit tox benzodiazepine and barbiturate assays on the Vitalab Viva analyser and FPIA on the Abbott ADx analyser.

We evaluated the performance of the Emit tox benzodiazepine and barbiturate assays (Dade Behring) and fluorescence polarisation immunoassay (FPIA) (Abbott) for use with serum determinations in preliminary therapeutic drug monitoring or acute drug intoxication detection. Performance, as indicated by CVs, of the Emit tox benzodiazepine and barbiturate assays and FPIA showed that both immunochemical techniques are precise and have good reproducibility. For within-run studies, results from benzodiazepine determinations showed maximum CV values of 1.91% for the Emit method and 2.65% for FPIA; results from barbiturate determinations showed maximum CV values of 2.01% for the Emit method and 1.89% for FPIA. For between-run studies, results from benzodiazepine determinations showed maximum CV values of 1.79% for the Emit method and 1.12% for FPIA; results from barbiturate determinations showed maximum CV values of 2.09% for the Emit method and 2.02% for FPIA.