Technical Highlights of the ARUP Drug Screen Cup

  • Requires 30 mL urine, which can be collected directly in the Screen Cup or in a secondary urine collection cup (see collection instruction).
  • Verifies physiological urine temperature (if urine is tested immediately after collection).
  • Results are ready in 5 min, and are stable for 60 min in most cases.
  • False positives were uncommon, but were occasionally observed with benzodiazepine, methadone and tricyclic antidepressant tests during evaluation at ARUP.
  • Uses CLIA-waived, FDA-cleared device (NexScreen).
  • Template form available to record results.
Confirmation Testing
  • Any result inconsistent with clinical expectations and pharmacy history should be confirmed using a second, more specific technology such as LC-MS/MS or GC-MS.
  • If the patient is expected to be taking opiates, oxycodone, or benzodiazepines, specific confirmation by quantitative LC-MS/MS is recommended, regardless of screen result.
  • Order targeted confirmation testing for drugs not detected by the screen. The following are NOT detected in this screen: buprenorphine, fentanyl, meperidine, methylphenidate, and tramadol.
Recommended CPT Code(s) G0434 (Medicare); or 80104

Performance Specifications of the ARUP Drug Screen Cup Based on Validation by ARUP (cap Based and Validation for consistency).
Drugs and Drug Classes Detected Cutoff* (ng/mL) Representative Drug(s) Notes
Opiates 100 Morphine
Codeine
Hydrocodone
6-Acetylmorphine		 Oxycodone may cause a positive result for both the opiate and oxycodone tests.
Oxycodone 20 Oxycodone Opiates may cause a positive result. 
Methadone 100 Methadone Poor sensitivity to EDDP.
Benzodiazepines 100 Oxazepam
Alprazolam		 Poor sensitivity to clonazepam.
Amphetamine 500 d-Amphetamine Poor sensitivity to l-amphetamine.
Methamphetamine 500 d-Methamphetamine Poor sensitivity to l-methamphetamine.
MDMA (ecstasy) 600 MDMA Methamphetamine may cause a positive result.
Cocaine metabolite 50 Benzoylecgonine Poor sensitivity to parent drug
THC metabolite 15 11-nor-d9-THC-COOH Poor sensitivity to parent drug. Sensitivity to synthetic cannabinoids is unknown.
Barbiturates 150 Phenobarbital  
Phencyclidine (PCP) 15 PCP  
Tricyclic antidepressants 500 Nortriptyline
Desipramine		 Cyclobenzaprine may cause a false positive result.

* Cutoff concentration is approximate, based on the representative drug (e.g., calibrator) for each drug class and data generated during an internal ARUP study. Sensitivity for other drugs within a drug class, including drug metabolites, will vary. Contact ARUP Laboratories for more information.