: Prescription Opioid Testing

: What This Test Measures

: Opioids are a group of medicines used mainly for pain relief, and they include drugs such as morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone. When you take an opioid, your body breaks it down into related substances called metabolites, and a laboratory can look for the drug and these metabolites in a sample. The compressed test name does not specify the sample type or the exact detection method, so the precise list of drugs detected depends on how the test is ordered by your clinician.

: Why It Is Ordered

: A healthcare provider may order this kind of test to check that a prescribed opioid is being taken as directed, to monitor a pain-management plan, or as part of broader drug testing. It is not a measure of pain control or a judgment about your care; it is one piece of information your provider uses alongside your history and other results.

: How the Sample Is Collected

: Depending on the test your provider orders, the sample may be blood, urine, or another specimen, and collection is usually a routine blood draw or urine sample. The slug does not state the specimen, so ask your provider or laboratory which sample is being used and whether any special preparation is needed.

: What Results Mean

: A result may be reported as positive or negative, or as a detected level, and a positive result generally means the drug or a related substance was found. Results must be interpreted by your provider, because many factors can affect them, including the dose, how recently a medicine was taken, and other medications. The exact reporting format and any decision limits depend on the specific assay used.