What are Drug Testing Panels?
Often in the drug testing world, tests are ordered without companies, courts, or people knowing what drug(s) that are needing to be tested. The most popular options amongst drug testing panels are the 5, 10 and 12 panel drug tests, we are here to discuss exactly what is tested in each type of drug test.
5 Panel Drug Test
The 5 panel drug test, specifically the urine, is by far the most popular test and the drug test of choice for the Department of Transportation (DOT). The drugs tested in a 5 Panel drug test are as follows:
- Marijuana metabolites
- Cocaine metabolites
- Phencyclidine
- Opioids** – codeine, heroin, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone & hydromorphone
- Amphetamines -amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA & MDA
**Some common names for the new semi-synthetic opioids include OxyContin®, Percodan®, Percocet®, Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®, Dilaudid®, and Exalgo®
PLUS EXPANDED OPIATES
When finding out what panels to include in your test, expanded opiates cover most prescription drugs for moderate to severe pain. The Expanded Opiates test can be added to any 5 or 10 panel drug test.
- Hydrocodone (including Heroin)
- Hydromorphone (including Codeine)
- Dilaudid (including Morphine)
- Oxymorphone (including Vicodin)
- Oxycodone (including Lortab)
- Lorcet
10 Panel Test
As we look further into the different types of drug tests, a.k.a panels, it is important to note that a 10 and 12 panel test will always include the drugs tested in a 5 panel drug test.
These tests are more common when looking for something specific not included in a standard 5 panel. The drugs tested in a 10 panel include:
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- cocaine
- Marijuana
- MDA
- Methadone
- Methaqualone
- Opiates
- PCP
- Propoxyphene
12 Panel Test
The 12 Panel drug test is by far the most comprehensive.
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- cocaine
- Marijuana
- MDA
- Methadone
- Methaqualone
- Tramadol
- Demerol
- Opiates
- Codeine
- Morphine
- 6 AM Heroine
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Vicodin
- Lortab
- Lorcet
- Dilaudid
- Oxymorphone
- Oxycodone
- PCP
- Propoxyphene
Drug Test Collection Methods
The collection methods for drug tests are urine collection, hair collection, and blood draw. All of these testing procedures are fast and easy.
URINE Drug Test
The procedure for a urine drug test is simple. A donor provides a urine specimen in a cup to a drug testing collection specialist who will then seal the specimen cup, complete various documentation including a chain of custody form, have the donor initial the specimen cup seal, provide identification and upon completion of the collection and paperwork the specimen will be sent in a secure manner by courier to the laboratory for testing.
HAIR Drug Test
A hair drug test is a simple process whereby a drug testing collection specialist cuts approximately 120 strands of hair from the head or a specific amount from the body and submits the hair to a certified laboratory for analysis. If a donor does not have 1 ½ inches of hair on their head, body hair can be utilized, however, if the donor is bald and has none or very little body hair, a hair drug test is not an available option, a urine or oral/saliva test should be utilized.
BLOOD Drug Test
Drug testing utilizing the method of drawing blood while not common is still used by many governmental agencies and the court systems. Blood drug testing measures whether a person has an illegal drug metabolite in their system at the time the blood is drawn.