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What standard panels test for
The term "opiates" covers a limited range of substances.
Standard drug panels — including the SAMHSA-5 and most 10-panel tests — test for "opiates," which in the context of immunoassay screening typically means morphine, codeine, and heroin (which metabolizes to morphine). This is a narrower category than "opioids."
Synthetic and many semi-synthetic opioids — including fentanyl and, depending on the assay, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, and hydrocodone — may not be reliably detected on standard opiate panels. Extended panels are required to detect these substances specifically.
Buprenorphine (Suboxone) is not an opiate in the testing sense. It requires a specific immunoassay panel to be detected. Patients on prescribed buprenorphine will not test positive for opiates on standard panels as a result of their medication.
Detection windows by substance
Approximate detection times in urine — the most common specimen.
Heroin (detected as morphine/6-MAM)
Heroin metabolizes rapidly to 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) and then to morphine. 6-MAM is detectable for approximately 2–8 hours; morphine metabolites typically 1–3 days.
Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)
Not detected on standard opiate panels — requires an extended oxycodone-specific panel. Detectable in urine for approximately 3–4 days after last use.
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
Detectable in urine for approximately 2–4 days. Requires an extended opioid panel, not a standard opiate immunoassay.
Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco)
Detectable in urine for approximately 2–4 days. Detection on standard opiate screens varies by assay and cutoff, so extended or drug-specific panels may be used.
Methadone
Requires a specific methadone panel — not detected on standard opiate screens. Detectable in urine for approximately 3–10 days, with a longer window at higher doses due to its long half-life.
Relevant context for patients in treatment
Drug testing in clinical treatment programs.
Patients receiving buprenorphine treatment are typically tested routinely during care. Clinical drug testing serves to monitor adherence to prescribed medication, identify co-occurring substance use that may affect safety, and guide clinical decision-making — not to create conditions for discharge.
Results should be interpreted in clinical context, including the patient's medication history, because immunoassay screens can have cross-reactivity and may require confirmatory testing.
Sources
Where this information comes from.
SAMHSA Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing
Defines which substances are covered by standard federal panels and at what cutoff levels.
Moeller KE et al. — Clinical Interpretation of Urine Drug Tests (Mayo Clin Proc, 2017)
Comprehensive review of urine drug testing methods, immunoassay limitations, detection windows, and clinical interpretation. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2017;92(5):774–796.