What Do They Test for in a Drug Test?

Evidence-based answer reviewed against SAMHSA cutoffs and FDA assay documentation · Updated August 2026

Quick answer: DrugPanels maintains evidence-based guides for every common drug-testing question — see related guides below for detection windows, cutoffs and process details specific to your situation.

Full explanation

DrugPanels maintains evidence-based guides for every common drug-testing question — see related guides below for detection windows, cutoffs and process details specific to your situation.

For structured detail, see the related guides linked below — detection tables, cutoffs and process walkthroughs live on the connected pages.

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Medical disclaimer: DrugPanels provides educational information about laboratory drug testing and does not offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Detection windows are population ranges — individual results vary with metabolism, dose, frequency and health status. Never stop prescribed medication to pass a test without talking to your prescriber. Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links; if you order through them we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

People also ask

Do prescriptions count against me?

No — verified prescriptions report as negative through the Medical Review Officer. Declare medications at collection and answer the follow-up call.

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Sources & further reading

  • SAMHSA — Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (cutoffs, MRO process)
  • DOT — 49 CFR Part 40 procedures for transportation workplace testing
  • Brahm NC et al., Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2008;83(1):66–76 — false-positive cross-reactivity reference
  • FDA — drug-of-abuse test device labeling (detection window conventions)