urine screening for methadone

Last reviewed 01/2018

Approximate duration of detectability of selected drugs in the urine (1,2)

Substance Duration of Detectability
amfetamines (amphetamines) 48 hours
methamphetamine 48 hours

barbiturates (1)

short-acting

intermediate-acting

long-acting

 

24 hours

48-72 hours

7 days or more

benzodiazepines (2)

- ultra-short-acting (half-life 2 hours) e.g. midazolam

- short-acting (half-life 2-6 hours) e.g. triazolam

- intermediate acting (half-life 6-24 hours) e.g. temazepam, chlordiazepoxide

- long-acting (half-life 24 hours) e.g. diazepam/nitrazepam

 

12 hours

24 hours

2-5 days

7 days or more

Cocaine Metabolites 2-3 days
Methadone (maintenance dosing) 7-9 days (approximate)

Codeine/Propoxyphene/Morphine

(heroin is detected in the urine as the metabolite morphine)

48 hours
norpropoxyphene (1) 6-48 hours

cannabinoids (marijuana)

- single use

- moderate use ( 3 times per week)

- heavy use (daily)

- chronic heavy use

 

3-4 days

5-6 days

20 days

up to 45 days

methaqualone (1) 7 days or more
phencyclidine (PCP) (1) 8 days (approximate)
Buprenorphine and metabolites 8 days

Reference:

  • (1) adapted from Department of Health (1999). Drug Misuse and Dependence - Guidelines on Clinical Management, 25.
  • (2) Department of Health (2007). Drug misuse and dependence: UK guidelines on clinical management, 30.