Buprenorphine

[Dr Jeff]

Donor confirmed positive for morphine (2,300 ng/mL). During questioning, she reported ingesting poppy seed bagels pretty regularly... But also informed me that she began Suboxone 24 hrs prior to the test. Based on her self admission, I reported out as a Neg w/ safety concerns. Subsequent Bup. testing came back negative. The Union is filing a grievance. As I recall, it's the MRO's responsibility to report any safety concerns that may be disclosed during the interview process...even with the negative result? Just want to confirm this...

[Robert Swotinsky MD]

Yes. The reporting of likely safety concerns is based on information ancillary to the drug test result, but which is identified during review of the test result.

[deniwar]

I would have thought this would be called positive for opiates. The morphine level is over 2000 and food products can not be used to validate a result. Could someone explain this to me??

[Robert Swotinsky MD]

2,000 ng/mL is the federal confirmation cutoff for morphine and codeine.

The federal procedures direct MROs that morphine and codeine concentrations of 15,000 ng/mL or above are not explainable by poppy seed ingestion.