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HelpTest ID: FENTX Fentanyl with Metabolite Confirmation, Chain of Custody, Random, Urine
Useful For
Detection and confirmation of illicit drug use involving fentanyl
Chain of custody is required whenever the results of testing could be used in a court of law. Its purpose is to protect the rights of the individual contributing the specimen by demonstrating that it was under the control of personnel involved with testing the specimen at all times; this control implies that the opportunity for specimen tampering would be limited.
Additional Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| COCH | Chain of Custody Processing | No | Yes |
| ADLTX | Adulterants Survey, CoC, U | Yes | Yes |
Testing Algorithm
Adulterants testing will be performed on all chain of custody urine samples as per regulatory requirements.
Reporting Name
Fentanyl w/metabolite Conf, CoC, USpecimen Type
UrineOrdering Guidance
Specimen Required
Container/Tube: Chain of Custody Kit (T282) containing the specimen containers, seals, and documentation required.
Specimen Volume: 5 mL
Collection Instructions: Collect random urine specimen in the container provided, seal, and submit with the associated documentation to satisfy the legal requirements for chain-of-custody testing.
Additional Information: Submitting less than 5 mL will compromise the ability to perform all necessary testing.
Specimen Minimum Volume
2.1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Frozen | 28 days | ||
| Ambient | 21 days |
Clinical Information
Fentanyl is an extremely fast-acting synthetic opioid related to the phenylpiperidines.(1,2) It is available in injectable as well as transdermal formulations.(1) The analgesic effects of fentanyl are similar to those of morphine and other opioids(1): it interacts predominantly with the opioid mu-receptor. These mu-binding sites are discretely distributed in the human brain, spinal cord, and other tissue.(1,3)
Fentanyl is approximately 80% to 85% protein bound. In plasma, the protein binding capacity of fentanyl decreases with increasing ionization of the drug. Alterations in pH may affect its distribution between plasma and the central nervous system (CNS). The average volume of distribution for fentanyl is 6 L/kg (range 3-8).(3,4)
In humans, the drug appears to be metabolized primarily by oxidative N-dealkylation to norfentanyl and other inactive metabolites that do not contribute materially to the observed activity of the drug. Within 72 hours of intravenous (IV) administration, approximately 75% of the dose is excreted in urine, mostly as metabolites with less than 10% representing unchanged drug.(3,4)
The mean elimination half-life is(1-3):
-IV: 2 to 4 hours
-Iontophoretic transdermal system (Ionsys) terminal half-life: 16 hours
-Transdermal patch: 17 hours (13-22 hours; half-life is influenced by absorption rate)
-Transmucosal:
-Lozenge: 7 hours
-Buccal tablet
-100 mcg to 200 mcg: 3 to 4 hours
-400 mcg to 800 mcg: 11 to 12 hours
In clinical settings, fentanyl exerts its principal pharmacologic effects on the CNS. In addition to analgesia, alterations in mood (euphoria, dysphoria) and drowsiness commonly occur.(1,3) Because the biological effects of fentanyl are similar to those of heroin and other opioids, fentanyl has become a popular drug of abuse.
Chain of custody is a record of the disposition of a specimen to document each individual who collected, handled, and performed the analysis. When a specimen is submitted in this manner, analysis will be performed in such a way that it will withstand regular court scrutiny.
Interpretation
The presence of fentanyl above 0.20 ng/mL or norfentanyl above 1.0 ng/mL is a strong indicator that the patient has used fentanyl.
Clinical Reference
1. Gutstein HB, Akil H. Opioid analgesics. In: Hardman JG LL, Gilman AG, eds: Goodman and Gilman's: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 11th ed. McGraw-Hill; 2006:chap 21
2. Kerrigan S, Goldberger BA: Opioids. In: Levine ZB, ed. Principles of Forensic Toxicology. 2nd ed. AACC Press; 2003:187-205
3. DURAGESIC (fentanyl transdermal system). Package insert. Janssen Pharmaceutical Products. LP; 2006
4. Baselt RC. Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man. 8th ed. Biomedical Publications; 2008:616-619
5. Langman LJ, Bechtel LK, Meier BM, Holstege C. Clinical toxicology. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
4 to 7 daysTest Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
80354
G0480 (if appropriate)
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| FENTX | Fentanyl w/metabolite Conf, CoC, U | 67822-7 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 36653 | Fentanyl Immunoassay Screen | 59673-4 |
| 36191 | Fentanyl by LC-MS/MS | 58381-5 |
| 36190 | Norfentanyl by LC-MS/MS | 58383-1 |
| 36192 | Fentanyl Interpretation | 69050-3 |
| 36193 | Chain of Custody | 77202-0 |
Reference Values
Negative
Cutoff concentrations:
Immunoassay screen
<2 ng/mL
Fentanyl by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
0.2 ng/mL
Norfentanyl by LC-MS/MS
1.0 ng/mL
Method Name
Immunoassay/Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Forms
1. Chain of Custody Request is included in the Chain-of-Custody Kit (T282).
2. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.
| mml-custody, mml-substancemonitoring |