Can Suboxone Be Detected On A Drug Test?

Our pharmacist answers the latest question regarding whether or not buprenorphine is detected on a drug test.

Can Suboxone Be Detected On A Drug Test?
Sep 27, 2017

Todde asked

Can Suboxone be detected on a normal drug screen or does it take a specific drug screen

Answer

There are many different kinds of drug tests but the most common type of drug test looks for 5 things:

  • Amphetamines (Adderall, amphetamine salts)
  • Marijuana
  • Cocaine
  • Opiates
  • PCP

This type of test is known as a 5 panel drug test.

Suboxone is a combination of two medications, buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid type drug but its chemical structure is quite different than common opiates such as morphine, codeine and oxycodone.  It USUALLY does not show up on a standard 5 panel test. In most cases, a broader screening is needed, such as a 10 panel drug test or a test that is specific for buprenorphine. 

I have seen cases where buprenorphine has shown up as positive on 5 panel tests, but I would assume those are false positives or the patient did in fact take something that would show up.

Morphine

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine

Morphine

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