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Urine screening for cannabis

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Approximate duration of detectability of selected drugs in the urine (1,2)

Substance

Duration of Detectability

amfetamines (amphetamines)

48 hours

methamphetamine

48 hours

barbiturates (1)

short-acting

intermediate-acting

long-acting

 

24 hours

48-72 hours

7 days or more

benzodiazepines (2)

- ultra-short-acting (half-life 2 hours) e.g. midazolam

- short-acting (half-life 2-6 hours) e.g. triazolam

- intermediate acting (half-life 6-24 hours) e.g. temazepam, chlordiazepoxide

- long-acting (half-life 24 hours) e.g. diazepam/nitrazepam

 

12 hours

24 hours

2-5 days

7 days or more

Cocaine Metabolites

2-3 days

Methadone (maintenance dosing)

7-9 days (approximate)

Codeine/Propoxyphene/Morphine

(heroin is detected in the urine as the metabolite morphine)

48 hours

norpropoxyphene (1)

6-48 hours

cannabinoids (marijuana)

- single use

- moderate use ( 3 times per week)

- heavy use (daily)

- chronic heavy use

 

3-4 days

5-6 days

20 days

up to 45 days

methaqualone (1)

7 days or more

phencyclidine (PCP) (1)

8 days (approximate)

Buprenorphine and metabolites

8 days

Reference:

  • (1) adapted from Department of Health (1999). Drug Misuse and Dependence - Guidelines on Clinical Management, 25.
  • (2) Department of Health (2007). Drug misuse and dependence: UK guidelines on clinical management, 30.

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