There are different kinds of drug test panels- it is usually based on the number of panels a drug test has. Drug Test Panels can be customized but standard panels are used by many companies. The standard panels are: 5-panel, 6-panel, 7-panel, 8-panel, 9-panel, 10-panel, and 12-panel. Other alternative panels available are the 4-panel, and 11-panel.The main difference among these types of panels are the illegal substances that each must determine.
Standard Drug Test Panels
The most cost-effective of all the drug test panels is the 5-panel. A 5 panel drug test is widely used by different government institutions and private companies. It aims to detect five illegal substances namely Tetrahydrocannabinol (marijuana/cannabis, hash) Cocaine, Amphetamines, Opiates, and Phencyclidines (PCP). These substances are also termed as the SAMHSA-5. The 6-panel drug test on the other hand is used to detect benzodiazepines, marijuana, cocaine opiates, andamphetamines (includingmethamphetamines). Barbiturates, benzodiazepines, marijuana, opiates, amphetamines, phencyclidines, and cocaine must be detectedby a 7-panel drug test. As for the 8-panel drug tests, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, methamphetamines, marijuana, opiates, phencyclidines, and cocaine must be detected. Marijuana, barbiturates, opiates, phencyclidines, methamphetamines, methadone, cocaine, benzodiazepines, must be detect by a 9-panel drug test.As for the 10 panel drug test, barbiturates propoxyphene, methaqualone, benzodiazepines, methadone,marijuana, opiates, phencyclidines, amphetamines, and cocaine must all be detected by.Lastly, as for the most expensive and comprehensive drug test panel, the 12-panel, it must detect propoxyphene, marijuana, benzodiazepines, opiates, Phencyclidines, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, methadone, methaqualone, ecstasy, and oxycodone.
Other Drug Test Panels
There are two other drug panels that can be used: 4 panel drug test, and 11-panel drug test. The 4-panel drug test is not commonly utilized as it lacks a panel for one illegal substance. It is however a minimum requirement that any company or government institution must have drug tests that can detect at least five drugs-the drugs determined by the 5-panel drug test, as set by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or SAMHSA. Also any four of those previously mentioned drugs can be detected by the 4-panel drug test. It depends on the preference of the employer or whosoever is held responsible for the drug testing.
The 11-panel on the other hand, detects all the drugs detected by the 8-panel with an additional panel for Tricyclic Antidepressants, Oxycodone, and Methadone. Other substances can be included so long as all the panels are filled up.
In conclusion, choosing the right panel will depend on the budget and other preferences of the company or institution.