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HelpTest Code BUPM Buprenorphine and Norbuprenorphine, Random, Urine
Useful For
Monitoring of compliance utilizing buprenorphine
Detection and confirmation of the illicit use of buprenorphine
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
Buprenorphine and Metabolite, USpecimen Type
UrineOrdering Guidance
For screening buprenorphine alone, order BUPS / Buprenorphine Screen, Random, Urine.
For comprehensive opioid screening, order TOSU / Targeted Opioid Screen, Random, Urine.
For situations where chain of custody is required, a Chain of Custody Kit (T282) is available. For chain-of-custody testing, order BUPMX / Buprenorphine and Norbuprenorphine, Chain of Custody, Random, Urine.
Additional drug panels and specific requests are available. Call 800-533-1710 or 507-266-5700.
Additional Testing Requirements
If urine creatinine is required or adulteration of the sample is suspected, the following test should also be ordered, ADULT / Adulterants Survey, Random, Urine.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Plastic urine container
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 5-mL tube
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect a random urine specimen.
2. No preservative
Additional Information:
1. No specimen substitutions.
2. STAT requests are not accepted for this test.
3. Submitting less than 1 mL will compromise the ability to perform all necessary testing.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Ambient | 14 days | ||
| Frozen | 14 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Clinical Information
Clinically, buprenorphine is utilized as a substitution therapy for opioid dependence and as an analgesic. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist of the mu-opioid receptor. These mu binding sites are discretely distributed in the human brain, spinal cord, and other tissue. The clinical effects of mu receptor agonists are sedation, euphoria, respiratory depression, and analgesia. As a partial mu receptor agonist, buprenorphine's clinical effects are decreased, giving buprenorphine a wider safety margin.(1) Buprenorphine has a prolonged duration of activity. The combination of decreased clinical effects and prolonged activity gives buprenorphine the added advantage of a delayed and decreased withdrawal syndrome, compared to other opioids.(1) Compared to morphine, buprenorphine is 25 to 40 times more potent.(1) As with any opioid, abuse is always a concern. To reduce illicit use of buprenorphine, it is available mixed with naloxone in a ratio of 4:1. When the combination is taken as prescribed, only small amounts of naloxone will be absorbed. However, if the combination is transformed into the injectable form, naloxone then acts as an opioid receptor antagonist.
Buprenorphine is metabolized through N-dealkylation to norbuprenorphine through cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Both parent and metabolite then undergo glucuronidation. Norbuprenorphine is an active metabolite possessing one-fifth of the potency of its parent. The glucuronide metabolites are inactive.(1)
The primary clinical utility of quantification of buprenorphine in urine is to identify patients that have strayed from opioid dependence therapy.
Reference Values
Negative
Cutoff concentrations:
Buprenorphine: 5.0 ng/mL
Norbuprenorphine: 2.5 ng/mL
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
3 to 5 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test 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
80348
G0480 (if appropriate)
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.