Clinical practice guidelines recognize oral fluid screening as a valid alternative to urine tests for assessing drug use. In this test-specific episode of the "Answers From the Lab" podcast, Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., explains the advantages provided by Mayo Clinic Laboratories' oral fluid screening.

"Most urine collections are not witnessed. Therefore, urine is easy to adulterate or even substitute," Dr. Jannetto says. "Direct observation of oral fluid screening is simple. Drugs also tend to be detected sooner in oral fluid versus urine."

Mayo Clinic Laboratories' cost-effective immunoassay panel includes tests for opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, marijuana, stimulants such as methamphetamine, and PCP (phencyclidine).

"Oral toxicology tests can assist the clinician in identifying when patients are not taking prescribed medications and can also provide information about other drug use that wasn't reported to the physician," Dr. Jannetto says. "Toxicology drug tests are a tool to support recovery and provide motivation for compliance."

Listen to learn more about Mayo Clinic Laboratories' oral fluid drugs of abuse screen.

Note: Podcasts will not play back on Internet Explorer. Please use an alternative web browser, or listen from your mobile device on a preferred listening app.

Testing

CSMOF   | Controlled Substance Monitoring Panel, 11 Drug Classes, Screen Only, Immunoassay, Oral Fluid

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