5-Panel Urine Test: What to Expect and How to Prepare
When it comes to certain prescription drugs associated with the risk of abuse, the US Drug Test Centers suggest taking a 5-panel drug test. It is a procedure that screens a urine, blood, hair, or saliva sample to detect the presence of five of the commonly abused drugs. In this domain, a 5-panel urine test is often preferred by patients due to its ease and non-invasivity.
Urine sampling is one of the ways to conduct a 5-panel drug test
In this article, we will learn about 5-panel urine test in terms of what it is and how a person should prepare for it. In addition, some of the well-known urinary test product brands have also been linked for the reader’s convenience.
What is a Urine Test?
A urine test or urinalysis is a procedure commonly known as a “pee in a cup” test. It involves giving a urine sample that is checked visually, microscopically, and chemically. This way, different medical conditions can not only be diagnosed but can also be evaluated based on their extent and severity.
What is 5-Panel Urine Test?
A 5-panel urine test is a method of screening a urine sample for five types of illegal drug substances, which are the most abused prescription medications. To conduct the test, a person is asked to give a urine sample, as this is the easiest way. However, sweat, hair, blood, or saliva can also be collected for the procedure. However, in this article, we will particularly focus on the 5-panel test conducted with a urine sample.
Drugs Detected by 5-Panel Urine Test
The following table summarizes the abused drugs that can be easily detected by a 5-panel urine test:
| Substances | Detectable Form | Detection Time Frame |
| Opiates | Heroin, codeine, oxycodone metabolites morphine, oxymorphone, and hydrocodone | 2 to 3 days |
| Phencyclidine or angel dust | PCP | Within 8 days; up to 8 days for chronic users |
| Cocaine | Benzoylecgonine metabolite | 2 to 4 days |
| Amphetamines | Methamphetamine, amphetamine metabolites | 48 hours |
| Marijuana | THC compound | 2 to 3 days for light, 5 days for moderate, and 10 days for daily smokers; up to 28 days for chronic smokers |
While learning about the 5-panel urine test, keep in mind that the test does not detect the presence of alcohol in the sample, and a separate test is required for it.
How to Prepare for a 5-Panel Urine Test?
If you have to go through a 5-panel urine test, keep in mind the following preparation tips so that you can achieve reliable results and do not have to re-take the test:
- Do not use tobacco at least half an hour before taking the 5-panel urine test.
- Avoid having a meal at least half an hour prior to the procedure.
- It is important to stay hydrated around the time of the 5-panel urine test. To do so, it is recommended to consume 8 ounces of water half an hour before giving a urine sample.
- Always use a clean and dry specimen container for the collection of a urine sample.
Urine test strips help identify certain chemical markers in the sample
How is a 5-Panel Urine Test Conducted?
Taking a 5-panel urine test is easy and does not consume much time. It can be done in two ways:
On-site testing for the 5-panel urine test is often done by employers at workplaces where the candidates are asked to give a sample. The collected samples are sometimes tested onsite or can also be sent to a lab. Usually, onsite testing gives results on the same day.
Lab-based testing is another way to conduct a 5-panel urine test. In such a case, the urine sample is sent to a laboratory where it is tested for the detection of five of the most commonly abused prescription drugs. This process is time-consuming and can make you wait for two to five business days to give the results.
What to Expect After a 5-Panel Urine Test?
Once you have given a urine sample for the 5-panel urine test, wait for the results. Usually, it takes between 1 and 3 days for the laboratory to hand over the results. In case of a negative test, the result is given within 24 hours. However, if the result is positive, further testing is often needed, that could take 48 to 72 hours.
As for the type of results you can get from a 5-panel urine test, the following section can be taken as a guide:
Positive Test Result
A positive result after a 5-panel urine test indicates that the metabolites of certain addictive drugs have been detected in the urine sample. Additionally, their concentration is also significant as an amount below a testing threshold is not detectable.
Negative Test Result
If, after a 5-panel urine test, a negative result has been announced, it indicates that either there were no drug metabolites in the urine sample or they were in such a small concentration that the detection was not possible.
Inconclusive Test Result
In case of an inconclusive test result, the result is neither positive nor negative. The reason might be a testing error or a tampering of the urine sample, i.e. by dilution, etc. Therefore, it is recommended to take the test once again.
Is 5-Panel Urine Test Sensitive?
When it comes to the sensitivity of the 5-panel urine test, it should be kept in mind that it varies depending on the type of collection method as well as the amount of drugs/metabolites in the sample. When the concentration of a drug or its metabolites is equal to or above the administrative cutoff level, it is considered a positive result.
The given table highlights these cutoff values for the 5-panel urine test when the procedure is done in a lab:
| Drug | Screen Cutoff | Confirmation Cutoff |
| Opiates | 2000 ng/mL | 2000 ng/mL |
| Phencyclidine or angel dust | 25 ng/mL | 25 ng/mL |
| Cocaine | 150 ng/mL | 100 ng/mL |
| Amphetamines | 500 ng/mL | 250 ng/mL |
| Marijuana | 50 ng/mL | 15 ng/mL |
How Much Does a 5-Panel Urine Test Cost?
As the 5-panel drug tests can be performed with different samples, the overall cost of the test varies. However, the cost of a single 5-panel urine test is between $40 and $70. Consult with your healthcare provider to know if you need to get tested more than once.
5-Panel Urine Test vs 10 Panel Urine Test: What is the Difference?
Apart from the commonly recommended 5-panel urine test, a 10 panel drug test has also been introduced. It differs from the former as it can also detect the presence of the following five drugs in addition to the ones covered by the 5-panel urine test:
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Propoxyphene
- Methadone
- Methaqualone (Quaaludes)
Urine analysis gives results within 2 to 3 business days
5-Panel Urine Test Strips at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
A 5-panel urine test is a process of detecting five of the most abused prescription drugs in a urine sample. Although the test can be conducted from saliva, hair, or blood as well, people often prefer urine sampling due to its ease and non-invasive nature.
When it comes to learning about 5-panel urine test, it is also essential to look into some of the products that many brands manufacture. Some of these well-known brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below, along with their features and purchase links:
Clarity Diagnostics CD-DOA-154 Clarity Dip Card, 5 Panel, Drugs of Abuse, CS25
CLARITY DIAGNOSTICS CD-DOA-154 CLARITY DIP CARD, 5 PANEL, DRUGS OF ABUSE, CS25
Product Details
Clarity Diagnostics CD-DOA-154 Clarity 5-panel drug test dip cards are CLIA-waived and 510K cleared products that are employed for testing the presence and levels of the commonly abused prescription drugs. The product offers 25 tests that are easy to conduct and give rapid results.
Moreover, these Clarity Diagnostics CD-DOA-154 Clarity 5-panel drug test dip cards receive urine as a sample and analyze it to produce a visual result that can be read on the strips within 5 minutes. The format of the test is cassette, and the product is known for toxicological analysis.
Furthermore, these Clarity Diagnostics CD-DOA-154 Clarity 5-panel drug test dip cards employ a lateral flow method that quantifies amphetamine, cocaine, amphetamine, PCP, and THC, as well as their metabolites.
In addition, these Clarity Diagnostics CD-DOA-154 Clarity 5-panel drug test dip cards only weigh 1.1 pounds (lbs). These are extensively used in facilities where identifying drug abuse is important for employment or other purposes. The product is convenient and has an accuracy of up to 99%.
DOA-1104 Clarity 10-Drug Test Panel, Urine Sample, BX25
Product Details
DOA-1104 Clarity 10-panel urine sample test strips is a product of Clarity Diagnostics that is employed for the estimation of drug abuse. The product is CLIA-waived and allows the user to check their drug levels from a urine sample.
Moreover, contrary to the above-mentioned product, which has a cassette format, these DOA-1104 Clarity 10 panel urine sample test strips have a dip card format. This way, the usage of the product becomes easy and quick.
As for the results, the visual display time is 5 minutes, and the drugs that can be screened using these DOA-1104 Clarity 10 panel urine sample test strips include amphetamine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, methamphetamine, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, PCP, THC, as well as methadone.
The metabolites of the above-mentioned drug substances can also be detected in the samples and produce a positive result. Furthermore, these DOA-1104 Clarity 10 panel urine sample test strips can produce results with 99% accuracy.
Overall, the 5-panel urine test is easy to conduct using this product, and the results are also obtained quickly. In addition, each pack of these DOA-1104 Clarity 10 panel urine sample test strips contains 25 test strips.
*Note: The prices of these items mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
A urine test is a non-invasive process of checking the presence of drugs and other chemicals in the body
The products mentioned in this article, while learning about 5-panel urine test, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of urinalysis-related products.
Conclusion
Urine analysis is a method of detecting certain chemical markers as well as microbes in the urine sample. This way, information about a patient’s internal state or a disease can be derived. An extension of the urine test is the 5-panel urine test that is conducted to check the levels of 5 of the most commonly abused prescription drugs.
The importance of the 5-panel urine test is evident as it is extensively done for people before employment in public or private offices. In addition, in some cases, it can also be done for students from secondary and tertiary schools.
Considering their importance, urine test strips should be kept in healthcare facilities as well as in home settings to use whenever necessary. For purchasing different types of urine test products while learning about how to prepare for a urine test, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
References
Read also
Understanding Your Urine Test Results: What Each Marker Means
How to Prepare for a Urine Test: Everything You Need to Know
