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Opioid Testing Test

Opioid testing checks for opioids in your urine, blood, saliva, hair, or sweat. It can detect both prescription pain medicines and illegal drugs like heroin.

What this test measures

Opioid testing looks for opioids in a sample of your urine (pee), blood, saliva (spit), hair, or sweat. Opioids include natural opiates (codeine, morphine, heroin) and synthetic or semi-synthetic opioids (oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, methadone, fentanyl).

What your results mean

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and by your age and sex. MedlinePlus does not publish a single normal range for this test — always read your result against the range printed on your own lab report and discuss it with your provider.

Higher-than-normal results

Positive results mean that opioids were found. But positive test results may not be accurate (false positives), so follow-up testing is usually required to confirm the results.

Lower-than-normal results

Negative results mean that either no opioids were found in your sample, or a very small amount was found but too little to be called a positive test result.

Frequently asked questions

What is opioid testing?

Opioid testing looks for opioids in a sample of your urine, blood, saliva, hair, or sweat. It can detect prescription pain medicines and illegal drugs like heroin.

What is the difference between opioids and opiates?

Opiates are natural opioids made from the opium poppy plant, such as codeine, morphine, and heroin. Opioids also include synthetic and semi-synthetic medicines made in labs, like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl.

Can opioid testing diagnose addiction?

No, opioid testing cannot diagnose opioid misuse or opioid use disorder (OUD). But it can be used with questionnaires to help find out who may need help with a drug problem.

What does a positive result mean?

A positive result means opioids were found in your sample. However, false positives can happen, so follow-up testing is usually required to confirm the results.

What does a negative result mean?

A negative result means either no opioids were found, or a very small amount was found but too little to be called positive. In some cases, follow-up tests may be done.

Related lab tests

Sources

Last updated . Information is aggregated from official public sources and is not a substitute for professional medical care.