10-Panel Drug Test

Taking a 10-Panel Drug Test

The 10-panel drug test is most often performed on a urine sample. Drug screening tests can also be done on hair, saliva, blood, umbilical cord, and sweat.

Before the test

Before the test, inform your employer or the lab taking your urine sample of any over-the-counter or prescription drugs that you have recently taken because these can in some cases affect your test results.

For a urine test, avoid drinking too much water beforehand. Follow any specific instructions from your employer on how to prepare and what to bring when you take the test.

When preparing for at-home testing, it’s important to read all instructions provided with the collection kit. Test kits typically include instructions, a collection cup, and the test itself (which may be test strips, a test card, or a test cassette). Also, check the label of the collection kit to ensure that the test is designed to identify the presence of the specific drugs you’re interested in.

During the test

For a urine test at a clinic, you should receive a plastic container that is sealed in tamper-proof packaging. You will normally be directed to a private bathroom where you fill this container with urine up to a specifically marked level.

When you go into the bathroom, the water supply may be turned off, and there may be blue dye in the toilet bowl. These are measures intended to prevent tampering with the urine sample.

After you have provided a urine sample, staff typically record the temperature of the sample and secure the container in tamper-proof packaging so that it can be sent for analysis. The process lasts less than a few minutes.

At-home testing involves collecting and testing urine according to instructions provided with the test kit.

After the Test

A urine test does not have any side effects and does not involve any post-test restrictions on your activity.

If a positive result is found on an at-home test, it’s helpful to send the sample to a certified laboratory for a final result. The second, more specific laboratory test is important because some foods, supplements, and medicines can affect the results of at-home testing.

Get Tested