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Does Hydrocodone For Pain Cause False Positive Urine Result For Heroin And Morphine?
Question: My BF was an opiate addict, I thought he was not using anymore but a friend confronted me about it so I had him take a drug test. Initial result was positive for opiates, I sent it to the lab for analysis. BF told me he took a hydrocodone pill for some pain he was having and snorted a small amount of opiates a few days ago. Lab results showed Positive for Heroin = 28 ng/ml and positive for morphine = 43178 ng/ml. Can you tell me if these results mean he is using frequently? I know heroin metabolizes into morphine, and it seems that the morphine result is very high, but I do not know much about this and need help. Thank you
Brief Answer:
Depends upon from where sample was taken
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood your concerns.
First question is From where the sample was taken? Was he having urine test/skin/saliva/hair/blood? Which type of test performed.
Opiates can appear in
Blood = 24 hours
Urine = 3 to 4 days
Saliva = 24 to 72 hours
Hair = 3 to 4 months
If he was tested with urine then this is very high level after using heroin. He must be taking repeatedly, mostly daily.
There may be a possibility that he had taken very high but single dose of heroin and taken test next morning. Read following article for more information:
http://jat.oxfordjournals.org/content/25/7/504.full.pdf
Take him to the psychiatrist, he needs treatment and rehabilitation.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then I shall be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Depends upon from where sample was taken
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood your concerns.
First question is From where the sample was taken? Was he having urine test/skin/saliva/hair/blood? Which type of test performed.
Opiates can appear in
Blood = 24 hours
Urine = 3 to 4 days
Saliva = 24 to 72 hours
Hair = 3 to 4 months
If he was tested with urine then this is very high level after using heroin. He must be taking repeatedly, mostly daily.
There may be a possibility that he had taken very high but single dose of heroin and taken test next morning. Read following article for more information:
http://jat.oxfordjournals.org/content/25/7/504.full.pdf
Take him to the psychiatrist, he needs treatment and rehabilitation.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then I shall be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you for your quick reply, it was a urine test. Could you give me your opinion as to why some heroin showed up? My understanding is that the morphine is from the heroin metabolizing, when actual heroin shows up, is that due to recent use that has not had a chance to metabolize?
Would other prescription pills such as hydrocodone or Percocet show up differently on the test?
Would other prescription pills such as hydrocodone or Percocet show up differently on the test?
Brief Answer:
There is cross reactivity between opiates
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.
I have searched the issues and I found that urine detection test is done by different methods in which the urine test done by method of enzyme immuno essay can have cross reactivity with different opiates. So if the urine drug screen was done by EIA method then there is a possibility that even in the absence of heroin, it can be detected.
Other possibility is that the use of heroin is within 2 to 3 hours so that it has no chance to metabolize yet.
Yeah, other prescription pills can show up but not with this high level of morphine. This can happen only after heavy intravenous dose of heroin within 2 to 7 hours.
Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have further query then close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
There is cross reactivity between opiates
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.
I have searched the issues and I found that urine detection test is done by different methods in which the urine test done by method of enzyme immuno essay can have cross reactivity with different opiates. So if the urine drug screen was done by EIA method then there is a possibility that even in the absence of heroin, it can be detected.
Other possibility is that the use of heroin is within 2 to 3 hours so that it has no chance to metabolize yet.
Yeah, other prescription pills can show up but not with this high level of morphine. This can happen only after heavy intravenous dose of heroin within 2 to 7 hours.
Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have further query then close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you very much for your help. one last request. Could you tell me the ng/ml levels that could be expected in someone who only uses one a month compared with a daily user?
I really appreciate all of your help in understanding this test result better
I really appreciate all of your help in understanding this test result better
Brief Answer:
Once a month use does not show in urine screen
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.
After single dose the metabolites can be detected in urine drugs screen for 3 to 4 days or at XXXXXXX 7 days. It can not be detected after 7 days unless the person is using daily or very frequently. But it can show up in hair sample for upto 3 months after single use.
I feel that your boy friend is using it very frequently. He needs evaluation. The high level of morphine is detected only within 3 to 8 hours after heavy intravenous dose.
So after single dose opiates can not be detected after one month in urine tests.
Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have any further query then close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Once a month use does not show in urine screen
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.
After single dose the metabolites can be detected in urine drugs screen for 3 to 4 days or at XXXXXXX 7 days. It can not be detected after 7 days unless the person is using daily or very frequently. But it can show up in hair sample for upto 3 months after single use.
I feel that your boy friend is using it very frequently. He needs evaluation. The high level of morphine is detected only within 3 to 8 hours after heavy intravenous dose.
So after single dose opiates can not be detected after one month in urine tests.
Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have any further query then close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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