I understand that Bayer is no longer manufacturing the Clinitest tablets (as happend previously with their Acetest tablets). However, screening for reducing substances in children <1 yr with a negative urine glucose is required by CAP. What are everyone's plans for dealing with this new tablet shortage?

Below is the latest CAP verbiage:

URN.30650 Reducing Substances Phase II

There is a documented policy indicating when pediatric specimens should be tested for

reducing substances other than glucose.

NOTE: Such a policy should be based on consultation with the pediatric clinical staff. The policy

should include instructions for dealing with those urines tested and found to be negative with

glucose-specific tapes or strips. There is no requirement for routine performance of reducing

substance testing in adult urines.

To me it only states that a policy must be in place. I also found an article that talks about reducing substance in urine:

http://www.annclinlabsci.org/content/36/4/447.full

It talks about that the need for testing reducing substances only if the physician specifies it (which is an issue without clinitest tablets), as most states are screening for galatosemia as part of PKU testing.

What I think is funny is that our supplier (Cardinal health) gave us a couple of possible substitutes for Clinitest tablet - both of them glucose sticks, not really an equal substitute. We are planning to ask our pediatricians if we can only test if requested and not on all patients < 3 years old (our current policy). Hopefully that will reduce our needs enough to last until Bayer has the clinitest tablets available again. I understand it's not they are no longer going to manufacture them, but they moved the facility and have had some supply issues.

Thank you -

Thanks EWEVANS! I just checked with our Maternity Dept and our newborns are all being screened for galactosemia! I would never have thought to check on that without your suggestion...besides, it's so hard to let go of the things "we've always done that way" in the Laboratory, isn't it?!? I think we could easily get our pediatricians to approve only performing the Clinitest by physician order. That will signficiantly reduce our volume of testing as well. Thanks again!

You are most welcome. That does seem to be the issue sometimes, we jump on new tests but are reluctant to discard old tests even if they are out-dated until we are forced to look at the issue due to a reagent shortage.

Clinitest tablets are now available again--just received new shipment last week.

Hi,

Can you please let me know who you ordered the Clinitest from as I am desperately looking for some? I haven't had any luck finding any?

One alternative would be quantitave benedict's solution titration. Reagent available here : http://www.sciencelab.com/page/S/PVAR/10409/SLB3109

We have gotten our back order in, and recievd a couple of bottles that we 'loaned' to others in the area, so I would hope this issue could be closed for now. Of course - we talked to our peditricians and got them to agree that we will no longer perfomr a Clinitest routinely on children < 2 (Since Illinois performs the genetic testing as part of the required PKU workup). We will only run a Clinitest if the physician specifically asks for it, so I'm sure our supply will now last until they expire.

Check the newest CAP checklist, from what I found that requirement has been removed as of July 2012.

I know this post died out a few years ago when Clinitest became available again - but they are taking a break from manufacturing again.  The last time it happened we discussed retiring the test and then NYS made a new regulation specifically stating we need to have something in place to screen pediatric urine for reducing substances.

I noticed someone mentioned Benedict's reagent form sciencelab.com  -  any other recommendations out there??