Propoxyphene drug screen is a qualitative analysis for the detection of the analgesic drug propoxyphene in the body of a suspected individual. It is an in vitro diagnostic test based on the technique of lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay. Propoxyphene is an opiod analgesic which is used as a pain reliever therapeutically but is a potent drug of abuse. It is chemically related to methadone.

Propoxyphene drug screening is a one step drug testing that requires only 5 minutes for getting accurate results. Presence of propoxyphene in the body is confirmed by the gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy tests. The test strips must be kept in the closed round vial until use. The round vial must be immediately closed tightly once the test strip is removed. The entire testing procedure is simple. All you have to do is to collect the test urine and store it appropriately. Then the test must be performed following the instructions carefully. The urine has to be collected and stored in sterile containers top prevent adulteration and contamination. The absence of such sterile conditions leads to false positive and false negative results.

The next step of propoxyphene screen is to maintain the test sample at room temperature. The urine sample can be collected at any time during the day and must be clear. Any visible impurities must be filtered, precipitated, or centrifuged to get a clear urine sample. Then take a single strip and dip into the sample urine vertically. It must be immersed up to the maximum limit and not beyond that for duration of 10 to 15 seconds. Then place the test strip on a flat non absorbent surface and wait for the test lines and control to appear.

The results for propoxyphene screening are interpreted by the appearance of the color on the strips. The appearance of both control and test color lines indicates a negative result whereas the appearance of control lines alone indicates positive drug test. Failure of the appearance of the control lines is considered invalid. These results must be read within 5 to 8 minutes but not after that.

The propoxyphene testing urine can be stored at lower temperatures and can also be frozen. But they have to appropriately conditioned for the test. The test strips come in round vials with desiccant cap and package insert. Do not use the test strips beyond the expiry date.