Urinary Cotinine (24-Hour Collection)
This test measures the amount of cotinine, a breakdown product of nicotine, in your urine over a 24-hour period. It helps assess your exposure to tobacco smoke or nicotine use.
["This test helps track nicotine exposure and smoking habits over time."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 10364-8
- Short code
- Cotinine Hair-mCnt
- Synonyms
- Cotinine Hair-mCnt
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Is This Test Done?
Your healthcare provider may order this test if you suspect exposure to tobacco smoke, want to monitor nicotine levels in your system, or need to assess compliance with smoking cessation programs. It can also be used in research or workplace safety evaluations.
What Does the Test Involve?
You’ll collect all urine produced in a 24-hour period, typically starting and ending at the same time each day. The urine is stored in a special container and sent to the lab for analysis.
How Is the Test Performed?
The lab uses a specialized method (likely immunoassay or chromatography) to detect and measure cotinine levels in your urine sample. This test does not require fasting or special preparation beyond collecting urine over 24 hours.
What Are the Results Meant To Tell You?
Higher levels of cotinine in urine suggest recent exposure to nicotine, often from smoking or vaping. Lower levels may indicate reduced exposure or successful smoking cessation efforts. Results are interpreted by your healthcare provider based on your specific situation.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance: Cotinine is a reliable marker for nicotine exposure because it persists in the body longer than nicotine itself. Elevated levels can indicate active smoking, secondhand exposure, or nicotine use from other sources. This test is useful for monitoring progress in smoking cessation programs, assessing workplace safety, or evaluating environmental tobacco smoke exposure in children or sensitive populations.
Short name
24-Hour Urine Cotinine
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get the results of this test?
Can I drink alcohol before this test?
Is there any special preparation needed before this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 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