ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Cotinine Screen, Urine : 2007081
[ image for: Additional Technical Information]
Additional Technical Information
  


Mnemonic: COTININE

Methodology: Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: 1-2 days
Specimen Required: Collect: Random urine

Specimen Preparation: Transfer 4 mL urine with no additives to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 2 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated

Unacceptable Conditions: Specimens exposed to repeated freeze/thaw cycles

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): Ambient: 10 days; Refrigerated: 10 days; Frozen: 8 months
Reference Interval:
Negative
Interpretive Data: Cotinine is a metabolite of nicotine and may be detected up to seven days after nicotine exposure. The cutoff is set at 100 ng/mL to detect active exposure (smoking).  This test will not distinguish between tobacco use and nicotine replacement therapy.
CPT Code(s): 80101
Cross References: Nicotine Metabolite