How the Drug Works
Tests for occult blood screen for unseen blood cells in the stool itself or in the toilet water around the stool. Specially treated pads turn a different color in the presence of blood.
Occult blood in the stool (feces) may be an indication of a disease in the digestive or gastrointestinal tract such as hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, fissures, ulcers, polyps, colitis, or colorectal cancer (cancer in colon or rectal area).
Uses
To screen for early signs of digestive tract diseases, including ulcers, colitis, polyps, fissures, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and colorectal cancer.
Recommended for people older than 40 years of age and for those who have a personal or family history of lower intestinal disorders or colorectal cancers.
These tests do not replace regular physical and rectal examinations by your doctor. However, they may show the need for further examinations.
Diet: Eat a normal, well-balanced diet for 2 days before and throughout the testing period (eg, well-cooked poultry, raw beef, lamb), tuna fish, peanuts, high fiber foods such as bran cereal and popcorn, and plenty of raw or cooked lettuce, spinach, corn, prunes, grapes, plums, and apples.). Such a diet reduces the number of false positive results and at the same time the roughage helps to uncover “silent” lesions which may bleed only intermittently. Do not eat red or rare meat, horseradish, turnips, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, cantaloupe, melons, or large amounts of citrus fruits. Consult your doctor before altering or discontinuing a special diet.
Do not use until 3 days after menstrual bleeding has ceased, or while you have bleeding hemorrhoids or constipation. Do not use any rectal ointments, suppositories, or certain medications for 2 days prior to or during the test period. Contact your doctor before stopping any drug therapy.
Kits containing a positive control package: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, clothing, heat, or open flame. In case of an accidental spill or direct contact, wash the affected area with large amounts of water. If ingested, administer large amounts of water. Do not induce vomiting. Call the poison control center. Toilet cleaners, disinfectants, and deodorizers in the toilet bowl and tank can interfere with test results. Remove these items and flush repeatedly until water is clear.
Perform the test on 3 consecutive bowel movements. If the sequence is broken, continue the test until 3 bowel movements have been tested. Some digestive tract bleeding occurs intermittently. Checking 3 consecutive bowel movements will offer a better chance of finding lower intestinal bleeding.
Quality control tests or tests for toilet water quality may be required. Read individual test directions carefully. Specimen collection and preparation of slides, collection papers, and filter papers returned to doctor’s office:
- Provide all information requested on outside of packet: Name, address, date, doctor, etc.
- Collect sample from the toilet bowl.
- Using the applicator provided, apply a thin smear to the slide or paper.
- Close the cover. Place slide away from heat and light. 5. Mail or deliver to doctor’s office.
Specimen collection and preparation of f1ushable tissue and pads: Carefully drop tissue or pad into toilet bowl. Wait the required length of time, then read the results as directed.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any overthe-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements while testing for occult blood. The following drugs and drug classes may interact with the test, leading to questionable results.
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin)
- Cancer chemotherapeutic drugs
- Antimetabolites (eg, methocorticosteroids sone)
- Aspirin dipyridamole (8g. Persantine)
Guidelines for Use
- Read the product instructions carefully prior to testing. Follow the directions on the package label exactly.
- A positive test indicates the presence of blood but does not necessarily mean that a serious condition exists. Discuss all positive test results with your doctor.
- False negative results (a false reading even though blood is actually present) can be caused by an improper sampling technique, ingestion of more than 250 mg a day of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), large amounts of citrus fruits, use of expired reagents or kits that have been improperly stored, or lesions not bleeding at the time of the test.
- False positive results (a positive reading even though no blood is actually present) can be caused by drugs causing gastrointestinal bleeding, red or rare meat, foods such as horseradish, turnips, broccoli, cauliflower, or melons (eg, cantaloupe), toilet bowl cleaners, and sources of nongastrointestinal bleeding such as nose bleeds, menstruation, and hematuria (blood in the urine).
- The best results are achieved when 3 consecutive stool specimens are tested.
- Follow special diet for 2 days prior to testing. Do not change diet or prescription medications without first discussing it with your doctor.
- Have all the materials you need on hand before beginning the test: Testing package, pencil or pen, timer (stopwatch or watch with a second hand), and a clean, dry container.
- For some tests, color vision may be needed to properly read the test results. Have someone else confirm results if in doubt.
- Hema Chek slide test Use a clean container or toilet paper to collect sample. Do not collect from the toilet bowl.
- Store slide tests at room temperature in a dry place. Protect from heat and light. Keep bottle tightly closed.
- Pad and tissue tests -Remove all toilet cleaners and disinfectants from the toilet bowl and tank. Flush several times.
- Flush the toilet after urinating. Then have bowel movement. Do not throw toilet paper in toilet following bowel movement.
- Protect from heat, sunlight, or fluorescent light. Store at room temperature (59° to 86°F). Do not store in the bathroom or in an area where there is a high humidity or moisture level. Do not store in the refrigerator or in an area where the temperature will exceed 86°F. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not use after expiration date on pouch.