MedTest Announces Availability of a Hydrocodone Assay for Urine Drug Screening

MedTest has announced the availability of a hydrocodone assay for use on the BS-200 and BS-480 Chemistry Analyzers for urine drug screening.

The addition of hydrocodone broadens MedTest’s menu of urine drug screening reagents already available.

Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from codeine and thebaine. It is used to relieve moderate to severe pain and to treat a cough. Hydrocodone is prescribed predominantly in the United States. Commercial Hydrocodone preparations are often combined with another medication to increase efficacy and reduce adverse effects. It is available as combination drugs with Acetaminophen such as Vicodin and Lortab, Ibuprofen (Vicoprofen) and antihistamines (Hyconine). In recent years, an increase in the abuse of the prescription pain management drugs Hydrocodone and Hydromorphone has been observed. Hydrocodone is rapidly metabolized to Hydromorphone and its glucuronide, and can be found in human urine for up to 2-3 days.

Hanjoon Ryu, CEO of MedTest, stated: “Hydrocodone is rapidly metabolized to hydromorphone and its glucuronide. Since it does not metabolize into morphine, standard opiate testing reagents will not detect its presence. Physicians request the hydrocodone test to effectively manage their patients and insure that they are getting a total picture of the patient’s medication status. Adding hydrocodone to our broad menu of urine drugs of abuse reagents is of value to the physician.”