Buprenorphine and Metabolites, Urine, Quantitative

Methodology: Quantitative Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Positive cutoff:
Buprenorphine: 2 ng/mL
Norbuprenorphine: 2 ng/mL
Buprenorphine glucuronide: 5 ng/mL
Norbuprenorphine glucuronide: 5 ng/mL
Naloxone: 100 ng/mL


For medical purposes only; not valid for forensic use.

The presence of metabolite(s) without parent drug is common and may indicate use of parent drug during the prior week. Naloxone is included to detect the addition of a naloxone-containing drug directly into the urine.

The absence of expected drug(s) and/or drug metabolite(s) may indicate noncompliance, inappropriate timing of specimen collection relative to drug administration, poor drug absorption, diluted/adulterated urine, or limitations of testing. The concentration value must be greater than or equal to the cutoff to be reported as positive. Interpretive questions should be directed to the laboratory.