How Is Buprenorphine Measured On A Drug Test?

In our latest question and answer, we discuss a how buprenorphine is measured on a drug test.

Nov 10, 2017

Beans asked

What does it mean when they give you results back from a urine drug test with buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine or whatever that is, and what do the numbers mean ...something '/ml'? sorry I can't remember exactly. And also what happens when you have 100% clean urine and just add the sub into it prior to taking the test.

Answer

When testing for buprenorphine on a urine drug test, the result is typically reported as ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter). This is simply a statement of the amount of buprenorphine (ng) per milliliter of test sample (ml).

While tests differ in their sensitivity, a positive result typically is reported when the concentration is over 5ng/ml... although some tests are less sensitive at 10ng/ml.

Tests for buprenorphine need to be ordered specifically, as it is usually not included on a routine opioid test.

In terms of using a substitute to subvert a drug test, it has certainly been done before but obviously not condoned. Not only will your drug test show a high concentration that most likely will be noticeably false, it can taint further drug tests as the instruments used in the process can become tainted.

Lastly, if the test you are taking is also testing for norbuprenorphine, using a substitute will indicate you are attempting to cheat the test. Norbuprenorphine is metabolized in our bodies FROM buprenorphine. If your test shows positive for only buprenorphine and not norbuprenorphine as well, that will indicate you are simply adding buprenorphine to the urine and not actually ingesting the drug.

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