Understanding Your Diagnostic Test: Purpose, Procedure, and Preparation
A urine test that checks for the presence of amphetamine-type stimulants in your system.
{"This test detects amphetamines and methamphetamine in urine","It is commonly used for workplace drug testing, legal/forensic purposes, or monitoring medication compliance","Positive results may indicate legitimate prescription use or illicit drug exposure","Results should be confirmed with more specific testing if needed","Certain medications and foods can potentially cause false positives"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 19261-7
- Short code
- Amphetamines Ur Ql Scn
- Synonyms
- Amphetamines Ur Ql Scn
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile urine container
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- screen
- Specimen volume
- 10 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
This test is a diagnostic procedure that helps your healthcare provider learn more about how your body is functioning. It measures specific substances or markers in a sample, such as blood or urine, to detect an illness, monitor an existing condition, or guide decisions about your treatment and overall care.
The Amphetamine Urine Screen test is a preliminary test that detects the presence of amphetamine-type stimulants in your urine. These drugs include prescription medications like Adderall, Dexedrine, and Desoxyn, as well as illicit substances such as methamphetamine (speed, crystal meth). This is a screening test, meaning it provides a preliminary result that may need confirmation with more specific testing.
A trained healthcare professional will perform the test in an office, clinic, or laboratory setting. Depending on the type of test ordered, a small sample of blood, urine, or other body material may be collected from you. The procedure is usually quick, causes little discomfort, and most people can return to their normal activities right afterward.
A urine sample is collected, typically in a clean container provided by the testing facility. The sample is then analyzed using immunoassay techniques, which detect antibodies that react with amphetamine compounds. The test looks for the presence or absence of these substances rather than measuring specific amounts.
Your doctor may order this test to help find the cause of symptoms you are experiencing, to screen for a medical condition before it causes noticeable problems, or to monitor how well a current treatment is working. The results provide important information that helps your healthcare team make informed decisions about your ongoing care.
Healthcare providers may order this test for several reasons: workplace or pre-employment drug screening, monitoring patients on prescription amphetamine medications (such as for ADHD or narcolepsy), legal or forensic investigations, substance abuse evaluation, or emergency department evaluation when symptoms suggest stimulant use.
Preparation depends on the specific test your provider has ordered. You may be asked to fast for a certain number of hours, avoid certain foods, drinks, or medications, or drink extra water before your appointment. Always follow the instructions given by your healthcare team, and let them know about any medications or supplements you currently take.
Generally, no special preparation is needed. However, you should inform your healthcare provider about all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements you are taking, as some may affect test results. For workplace or legal testing, follow any specific instructions provided by the testing facility.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
A positive result indicates that amphetamines or methamphetamine was detected in your urine. This could be due to: legitimate prescription use (such as ADHD medications like Adderall or Ritalin), over-the-counter medications containing pseudoephedrine, or illicit amphetamine or methamphetamine use. A negative result means no amphetamines were detected at the screening threshold. It's important to note that this is a screening test—positive results should be confirmed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for definitive identification.
Certain medications and substances may cause false-positive results, including some antidepressants, antipsychotics, blood pressure medications, and nasal decongestants containing pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. False negatives can occur if the test is performed too long after drug use, if the urine is diluted, or if certain cutting agents were used in illicit drugs.
Frequently asked questions
How long do amphetamines stay in urine?
Will a positive result mean I'm using illegal drugs?
Can my diet affect the test results?
What happens if my test is positive?
Can I appeal a positive result?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy