Opioid-related medication history review (qualitative assessment of opioid initiation/continuation timing)
This test reviews when you started or continued taking opioids, which helps healthcare providers track your treatment plan.
Understanding your opioid use timeline supports safer and more effective pain management.
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 106720-6
- Short code
- DATESCHEDULEDOPIOIDINITIATEDORCONTINUED
- Synonyms
- —
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- cms-assessment
- 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 This Test Matters
Healthcare providers use this information to ensure your opioid treatment aligns with your medical needs, adjust dosages safely, and monitor for potential risks like dependence or withdrawal. It helps track whether your medication is being used as intended.
What to Expect During the Test
This is not a blood or urine test for opioid levels. Instead, it’s a review of your documented opioid prescription history, often done through your electronic medical record or by asking your healthcare team about your medication timeline.
How Your Results Are Used
Results help your doctor confirm whether you’ve been consistently taking opioids as prescribed, identify gaps in treatment, or adjust your plan if needed. It may also be used to assess opioid use patterns in clinical research or quality improvement programs.
Common Reasons for This Test
Your healthcare provider may order this test to verify opioid initiation dates (e.g., after surgery or injury), confirm continuation of opioids for chronic pain, or evaluate opioid use in the context of broader treatment goals like addiction screening or pain management optimization.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Accurate documentation of opioid initiation or continuation is critical for several reasons: it prevents misalignment between prescribed and actual use, reduces risks of overdose or withdrawal, and supports evidence-based care. This test helps identify whether your treatment plan is working as intended or if adjustments are needed to improve safety and outcomes.
Short name
Opioid Medication Timeline Check
Frequently asked questions
Will this test involve drawing blood or collecting urine?
What if my opioid use timeline is unclear?
No, this test alone cannot diagnose opioid dependence. It provides information about your opioid use timeline, which is used in combination with clinical evaluation, behavioral assessments, and other tests (like urine drug screens) to diagnose substance use disorders.
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