Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In
Navigate Up

25095 Methadone, Urine, Confirm Only by GCMS

Methadone, Urine, Confirm Only by GCMS
Test Code: CO-METD
Synonyms/Keywords
​Dolophine
Useful For
​Detecting exposure to methadone to monitor compliance in taking prescribed medications, 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​ 2-4 days​ Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) using selected ion monitoring​
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. 
 
This test is a GCMS confirmation only for methadone. It is intended for use only in patients where an initial drug screening test has already been performed at the time of specimen collection (i.e. Point-of-Care drug screening cup, dipstick, etc.). The specimen will not be screened by immunoassay in the laboratory; it will only be tested by GCMS. If an initial drug screen has not been performed at the specimen collection site, it is more appropriate to order the "Methadone, Urine" (METD) test code which includes an initial screen. The test will detect the presence of parent methadone and EDDP (methadone metabolite).
​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ Negative.  Positives are reported with a quantitative GCMS result.​
Interpretation
 
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
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, Urine, Confirm Only by GCMS
​Cerner ​Methadone, Urine, Confirm Only
​COM ​Methadone, Urine, Confirm
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 medications, 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
 
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​ 2-4 days​ Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) using selected ion monitoring​
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
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.