Every 5 Minute Drug Test is designed to detect one or more specific Drug Classification. Each Drug Type consists of one or more drugs that are chemically related. The Drug Types are: Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Marijuana, Methamphetamines, and PCP.

For each Drug Type, a specific drug or metabolite is targeted - known as the Target Drug/Metabolite. A Metabolite is a substance that is present after the body has processed the drug. For some Drug Classification, a metabolite is more abundant in the urine the drug that was taken. In such cases, the metabolite is targeted by the drug test, rather than the drug. When the Target Drug/Metabolite is present in urine, a Positive result will be indicated by the drug test.

Because of chemical similarities, other drugs and/or metabolites may be detected by the drug test, called Cross-Reactants. As an example, the 5 Minute Drug Test for Methamphetamines is designed to target d-Methamphetamine. MDMA (Ecstasy) is chemically similar to d-Methamphetamine and will "cross-react" - causing a Positive test result.

Please refer to Drug Types which examines each of the Drug Classification represented by the 5 Minute Drug Test- including Drugs of Abuse Information for the most commonly abused drugs. You may also refer to Spec Sheets for the lists of drugs and/or metabolites detected by each 5 Minute Drug Test.

The Food and Drug Administration requires all urine drug tests to conform to standard Cutoff Levels for the Target Drug/Metabolite. Standard Cutoff Levels are designated by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) as they pertain to employment drug testing. The Cutoff Level is the minimum amount of drug or metabolite that will produce a Positive drug test result. For instance, the standard Cutoff Level for Marijuana testing is 50 ng/ml (50 nanograms, or 50 billionths of a gram per milliliter of urine). When the concentration of THC-COOH (Target Metabolite for Marijuana testing) in a urine sample is over 50 ng/ml, it’s classified as Positive, under 50 ng/ml, it’s classified as Negative.

 Borderline Negatives (Zero-Tolerance Testing)

A Borderline Negative test result is defined as drug concentrations above zero but below the standard Cutoff Level. Many employers desire to classify such samples as Positive, yet current labor laws and Drug-Free Workplace guidelines strictly forbid using a Zero-Tolerance policy. Outside testing laboratories must classify Borderline Negative samples as Negative, in order to comply with labor laws.

When testing at home, you are not bound by labor laws and can decide for yourself what action to take in the event of a Borderline Negative test. 5 Minute Drug Test identifies Borderline Negatives – providing additional information and additional control not available when using an outside lab. (See Home Drug Test Instructions - Reading Results.) The option of Borderline Negative interpretation is only available in the home drug testing environment and a few select instances outside the home. Regarding employment drug testing, standard Cutoff Levels must, by law be adhered to. Specific situations, such as probation drug testing, cause the treatment of Borderline Negative samples to vary. Each institution that performs drug tests should have a set of guidelines in place.

A False Positive urine test results when a sample initially tests Positive, yet it’s determined after the Positive result that an individual had a legitimate and legal purpose for ingesting the substance in question. Upon confirmation of a legitimate and legal purpose, such initial Positive results are determined to be False and reclassified as Negative. A False Positive can result from the following sources:

Prescription Drugs: Certain prescription drugs have a high potential for illegal use and are targeted by drug tests (primarily for Amphetamines, Barbiturates, and Benzodiazepines). Upon initially testing Positive for a prescription drug, an individual must provide proof of prescription in their name. Upon confirmation of legitimate prescription status, the initial Positive result is considered False and is reclassified as Negative. When proof of prescription is not provided or is not accurate, it is assumed that the drug was taken illegally and a True Positive result is reported.

Administered Drugs: This addresses drugs administered during an office procedure or surgery under the direction of a medical professional. As an example, morphine is frequently administered to relieve pain during surgery or childbirth. Specific administered drugs have a high potential for illegal use and are targeted by drug tests. Similar to prescription drugs, an individual must provide proper medical documentation in their own name to reverse an initial Positive result.

Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medications: Previously, False Positives caused by OTC medications were a great concern in the drug testing industry. Drug testing technology has improved significantly and False Positives caused by OTC medications are now rare. 5 Minute Drug Test is very proficient at ruling out commonly used OTC medications that may cause initial Positive results.

Currently, the only OTC medication of concern is Levmetamfetamine (found in Vicks Inhalers) – which can cause a Positive result for Methamphetamine. Vicks Inhalers are intended for relieving sinus pressure in cold and allergy sufferers. They are also commonly abused by teenagers and young adults in combination with illegal drugs – desired for their strong menthol properties. Pseudoephedrine (found in OTC cold medications) can cause a positive result for Methamphetamine when present in urine concentrations of 100,000 ng/ml or more. The dosage required to achieve such a high concentration in an individuals urine would most likely prove fatal.

Poppy Seeds: Poppy Seeds can cause a Positive result for Opiates when consumed in extreme quantities. Poppy Seeds are the actual seeds of the Opium Poppy plant, which contain trace amounts of Morphine. Providing large enough quantities are consumed, a positive result is possible.