Opiates (Urine)

Diagnostic Use

This is a screening immunoassay test that detects the following opiate class drugs: morphine, codeine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, dihydrocodeine, hydrocodone, and pholcodine. The assay does not differentiate between these drugs. If a positive result is obtained, thin layer chromatography (TLC) can be performed to characterise the type of opiate present (e.g. morphine, codeine). TLC is only available during normal working hours

Ingestion of some types of poppy seed cake can produce a positive result.

Methadone, pethidine, tramadol cannot be detected by this assay. Oxycodone in high concentration may be detected by this assay. Urine Methadone, pethidine, tramadol and oxycodone qualitative assays (report as Positive or Negative) are available at LabPLUS toxicology laboratory.

Results are for clinical use only and cannot be used for medico-legal or forensic purposes.

Drug levels can vary considerably depending on the concentration of the urine specimen. We measure creatinine on all samples to provide a measure of the degree of concentration of the urine specimen and to detect intentional dilution of the sample to falsely decrease the level in the sample. Levels of creatinine below 1.7 mmol/L rarely occur in normal samples and strongly suggest dilution of the sample.

Reference Intervals

Negative