Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In
Navigate Up

22874 Methadone, Urine

Methadone, Urine
Test Code: METD
Synonyms/Keywords
​Dolophine
Useful For
Detecting exposure to methadone to monitor compliance in taking prescribed medicaitons, compliance in rehabilitation programs, or to detect abuse.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Urine​ Sage urine collection container​ Sterile plastic container with no preservatives​ 5 mL​ 3 mL​ 1.5 mL​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Urine​ ​ Ambient​ 72 hours​
Refrigerate (Preferred)​ 30 days​
Frozen​ 30 days​
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Marshfield Monday through Friday​
If no confirmatory work is required: 1 day​
 
If confirmatory work is required: 4 days
 Beckman AU680 Clinical Chemistry System with Emit Immunoassay and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) using Selected Ion Monitoring ​(if needed for confirmation)
Test Information
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Marshfield Labs. This laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to perform high complexity testing.
 
Methadone (Dolophine) was first synthesized as a morphine substitute.  Since it causes marked sedation, it has been used since 1965 as a narcotic maintenance treatment of former heroin addicts.  Methadone is metabolized to EDDP (2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidone).  When a person uses methadone, the main products that appear in urine are methadone and EDDP.   The test will detect the presence of parent methadone and EDDP (methadone metabolite).
 
This test is a screen for Methadone by immunoassay; if the screen is positive, this test automatically includes GCMS confirmation for Methadone and EDDP. Quantitation/confirmation charged separately if needed.  It is intended for use only in patients where an initial drug screening test has not already been performed (i.e. Point-of-Care drug screening cup, dipstick, etc.).
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ Negative.  Positives are reported with a quantitative GCMS result.​
Interpretation

​Current Cutoff Levels for Toxicology

Methadone and EDDP are both excreted in the urine of a person taking methadone.  Methadone, however, is highly sensitive to urine pH, whereas EDDP is not.  Therefore, it is preferable to monitor EDDP in urine for assessing compliance in drug rehabilitation therapy. 

Methadone and EDDP can be detected up to 6-7 days after last use.

Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
80307​ ​ 1​ Single Drug Class​ ​
80358 ​ 1​ Methadone Confirmation by GCMS ​If needed
​G0480 ​ ​1 Methadone Confirmation by GCMS ​For Medicare/Medicaid, If needed
Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Marshfield Labs. This laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to perform high complexity testing.
​
Synonyms/Keywords
​Dolophine
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​Methadone
​Cerner None​
​COM ​Methadone, Urine
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Urine​ Sage urine collection container​ Sterile plastic container with no preservatives​ 5 mL​ 3 mL​ 1.5 mL​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Urine​ ​ Ambient​ 72 hours​
Refrigerate (Preferred)​ 30 days​
Frozen​ 30 days​
Useful For
Detecting exposure to methadone to monitor compliance in taking prescribed medicaitons, compliance in rehabilitation programs, or to detect abuse.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ Negative.  Positives are reported with a quantitative GCMS result.​
Interpretation

​Current Cutoff Levels for Toxicology

Methadone and EDDP are both excreted in the urine of a person taking methadone.  Methadone, however, is highly sensitive to urine pH, whereas EDDP is not.  Therefore, it is preferable to monitor EDDP in urine for assessing compliance in drug rehabilitation therapy. 

Methadone and EDDP can be detected up to 6-7 days after last use.

For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Marshfield Monday through Friday​
If no confirmatory work is required: 1 day​
 
If confirmatory work is required: 4 days
 Beckman AU680 Clinical Chemistry System with Emit Immunoassay and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) using Selected Ion Monitoring ​(if needed for confirmation)
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
80307​ ​ 1​ Single Drug Class​ ​
80358 ​ 1​ Methadone Confirmation by GCMS ​If needed
​G0480 ​ ​1 Methadone Confirmation by GCMS ​For Medicare/Medicaid, If needed
Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Marshfield Labs. This laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to perform high complexity testing.
​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.