Opioid Testing Changes in 2018

Opioid Testing Changes in 2018


What will occur:
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has approved
the addition of four metabolites to the USDOT five‐panel drug test.

Why this is changing:
The federal government is requiring increased scrutiny for the prescriptions of many compounds in the opioid category. This is a federal change, and is not a state or departmental change.

What will change:
Hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone metabolites will be included in the opiate category (revised to “opioid” in several federal regulations).
The federal five‐panel test will remain a five‐panel test. No additional panels are being added.

What this means:
If you have a valid prescription, your drug test will still be negative, even if the metabolites are detected in your urine sample.
However, if these metabolites are detected and you do NOT have a valid prescription, the drug test result will be certified as a positive.

What you can do:
If you are taking hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, or oxycodone and you do not have a valid prescription, you must immediately stop. Even taking a single dose once for pain will not be allowed unless you have a prescription. See your physician for questions or details about a prescription.

These changes will be required by the federal government for all 49 CFR Part 40‐compliant urine drug screens.
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