SAN DIEGO REFERENCE LABORATORY
6122 Nancy Ridge Drive San Diego, CA 92121 Phone: 800-677-7995 Fax: 858-677-7998
Opiate Screen Expanded to Include 6-Acetylmorphine, Hydrocodone and Hydromorphone |
When heroin is abused, the primary metabolites are 6-acetylmorphine, morphine and morphine glucuronide. In the analysis of urines from methadone patients, we have added the determination of the 6-acetylmorphine as conclusive proof that the patient has abused heroin. The presence of 6-acetylmorphine comes only from heroin and not from any other opiate. The absence of the 6-acetylmorphine, however, does not mean that heroin was not used. The half-life of 6-acetylmorphine is 6-25 minutes in blood, however, once excreted into the urine the molecule is relative stable. Urine half-life is reported as 2-8 hours. On a patient’s urine sample that is screened positive for opiates by immunoassay, we have added the chromatographic detection of 6-acetylmorphine as further clarification of the source of the morphine found. Codeine may or may not be present as a result of heroin use. However, the concentration of codeine should be noted as less than morphine. If the codeine is noted as greater than morphine, then the codeine is from medication or from an abused source. In addition, we are including two other opiates that are commonly found in urine samples that are screened positive for opiates by immunoassay. Hydrocodone (dihydrocodeinone, Dicodid, Coditrate, Hycodan, and Vicodin) and Hydromorphone (dihydromorphinone, Dilaudid) have been added to the chromatographic confirmation when a patient’s urine is screened positive for opiates. The report for opiates will have positive or negative results for the following: Morphine, Codeine, 6-acetylmorphine, Hydrocodone and Hydromorphone. If positive, there will also be a notation of the relationship of the morphine and codeine to each other. We have expanded the opiate screen at no additional cost to our clients. |
| Rev: January 16, 2004 |