urinary reducing substances

Last reviewed 01/2018

Urinary reducing substances can be identified by a positive clinitest reaction (blue to orange). Substances associated with a positive reaction include:

  • glucose
  • galactose
  • lactose
  • pentose
  • homgentisic acid
  • drugs associated with a positive reaction include salicylates, levodopa, ascorbic acid, nalidixic acid, tetracyclines

Specific glucoses tests (e.g. Diastix) are only positive for glucose but may be inhibited by the presence of levodoa, ketones, or ascorbic acid.