What is an Oral Fluid Drug Test?
Saliva drug tests are a quick and easy way to test for drugs. Also called oral fluid drug test kits, they are an increasingly popular way to detect whether someone has used drugs. They are more convenient to use than traditional urine tests and can be used at home, in the workplace or on site.
Oral fluid drug test kits use saliva as the sample and a saliva swab is inserted into a small container which then allows the sample to be for analysed. There is no need for any other bodily fluids like urine or blood to be collected, making it extremely convenient for people who are not able to give a sample.
The oral fluid drug test kits have multiple advantages over traditional urine tests such as being easier to use and less invasive. They are frequently used as the first choice method for workplace drug testing.
Drug Detection Times for Buprenorphine in Saliva
Buprenorphine is a drug that is used to treat people who are addicted to opioids such as heroin and morphine. This drug is given as a sublingual tablet that dissolves in the mouth.
Drug detection times for Buprenorphine can vary based on the individual and how long they have been taking it. Using a workplace standard saliva drug test, such as the Zoom Testing 13 panel saliva drug test kit, the detection time for buprenorphine is typically up to 2-3 days after last use.
Drug Detection Times for Drugs in Saliva
The table below shows the general detection times for all drugs when using a saliva drug test kit.
| Name of Drug | Code | Detection Period | Cut off: |
| Alcohol | ALC | Real time | 0.02%BAC |
| Amphetamines | AMP | 2-3 Days | 50ng/mL |
| Benzodiazepines | BZO | 2-3 Days | 50ng/mL |
| Buprenorphine | BUP | 2-3 Days | 10ng/mL |
| Cannabis | THC | 8-12 Hours | 12ng/mL |
| Cocaine | COC | 1-2 Days | 20ng/mL |
| Cotinine | COT | 1-2 Days | 20g/mL |
| Ecstasy | MDMA | 2-3 Days | 50ng/mL |
| Methadone | MEP | 8-12 Hours | 30ng/mL |
| Methamphetamine | mAMP | 2-3 Days | 50ng/mL |
| Opiates | OPI | 7-21 Hours | 40ng/mL |
| Oxycodone | OXY | 2-3 Days | 50ng/mL |
| Phencyclidine | PCP | 12-24 Hours | 10ng/mL |
| Spice (Synthetic Cannabis) | K2/Spice | Up to 48 Hours | 25ng/mL |
Photo by Jr de Barbosa / CC-BY-SA-3.0
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
This post was originally published in July 2022
