15 Panel Drug Test: What Does It Test For?
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A 15-panel drug test determines the presence or absence of a number of drugs that are commonly abused and their metabolites. When conducting pre-employment drug testing, court ordered drug testing, personal and family situations, divorce and child custody some individuals use the 15-panel drug test screen to determine whether parties are drug-free.
What Is the 15-Panel Drug Test?
The 15-panel drug test has 15 test panels that detect 15 different drugs and their metabolites. Unlike other tests, a 15-panel drug test can only use hair and fingernail samples, not urine.
Although the 15-panel drug test is highly effective, should you prefer using hair as a sample, the 17-panel option is more cost-effective. Unlike other drug screen tests, the 15-panel option is not available for at-home collection and must be taken under supervision.
Which Drugs or Classes of Drugs Are Detected?
The 15-panel hair and fingernail drug test can typically detect drug use for at least 90 days, possibly looking back much further when body hair and toenails are used.The 15-panel hair and fingernail drug tests screen for the following types of drugs:
- Amphetamines/Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- Opiates and expanded prescription opiates
- PCP (Phencyclidine)
- Marijuana
- Benzodiazepines
- Barbiturates
- Methadone
- Propoxyphene
- Oxycodone
- Tramadol
- Meperidine/Demerol
- Fentanyl
- Sufentanil
- Ketamine
How 15-Panel Testing Works
| Hair Testing | Fingernail Testing | |
| Price | Pricing varies according to location. | Pricing varies according to location. |
| Methodology |
|
● EIA (homogenous)
● Elisa (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) (heterogeneous) ● GCMS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) confirmation technology |
| Specimen Required | Testing requires 200-300 strands of hair samples from a person’s head that are 1 ½ inch to 2 inches in length. We can test on shorter head hair samples if needed. If body hair is used then about the quantity of almost two cotton balls is needed. | Testing requires a 150mg clipped fingernail or toenail sample.
(fingernails and toenails cannot be combined). |
| Clinical Applications | Detects drug use for 90 days on head hair sample, body hair will likely look back up to 6 months or further.
Hair follicle drug testing allows for observed sample collection when tampering with a urine sample is suspected. |
Detects drug use for 90 days or more. A fingernail sample has an estimated 3-6 month lookback and toenail sample can possibly look back up to one year.
Fingernail or toenail drug testing allows for observed sample collection when tampering with a urine sample is suspected. |
15-Panel Testing FAQs
What if You Need a Hair Follicle Test but Your Hair Is on the Shorter Side?
To complete the 15-panel hair follicle test using head hair to look back the standard, estimated 90 days, your hair needs to be at least an inch and a half long. If your head hair is not this long, you can use body hair instead. If using body hair, the donor needs to have about the size of a cotton ball and a half from either their legs, arms, chest, underarms, or possibly pubic area.
We can also perform a head hair collection on hair shorter than an inch and a half, however this will shorten the look back to about 30 or 60 days.
What Fingernail Test Should You Take to Test for Special K?
Special K, also known as ketamine, can be tested using a 15-panel drug test.
15-Panel Hair/Fingernail Drug Testing with AMH
AMH Nationwide is a national testing lab agency with over 25 years of experience that provides reliable, affordable drug testing for individuals and employers. We make your job easy by taking care of all your drug testing requirements for one efficient and affordable cost.
If you’re interested in pre-employment, court ordered, personal use drug testing, or at-home drug testing, visit our website today to learn more or place an online order.