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Drugs of Abuse Tests

Introduction

FDA regulates a type of IVD referred to as drugs of abuse tests that are sold to consumers or healthcare professionals in the United States FDA reviews many of these tests before they are sold for use. In its review, the FDA evaluates the design and performance of tests and sample collection systems to help ensure that they produce accurate results. The FDA also reviews the test instructions and package inserts to help ensure that the end users can understand how to perform the tests easily and successfully.

FDA does not review drugs of abuse tests intended for employment and insurance testing provided they include a statement in their labeling that the device is intended solely for use in employment and insurance testing, and does not include test systems intended for Federal drug testing programs (e.g., programs run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. military.)

The information on this webpage may be helpful to anyone who performs drugs of abuse testing, including consumers, employers, or trained medical professionals. In addition, the manufacturers of these tests may also be interested in the types of data typically submitted for FDA review.

Resources

FDA maintains a website called Device Advice that provides information on many aspects of tests that are regulated by FDA, including drugs of abuse tests. Within this website you may want to refer to the section entitled Overview of IVD Regulation.

For information specific to drugs of abuse, please refer to the following:

In addition, you can find Decision Summaries for all drugs of abuse tests that FDA cleared for marketing. To find a Decision Summary, follow the steps below:

  • navigate to: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfPMN/pmn.cfm
  • Search by 510(k) number, manufacturer’s name (Applicant Name), or name of the test (Device Name), or perform a very general search of many different drug test devices by selecting “Toxicology” in the drop-down menu under the section called “Panel.”
  • Select particular tests in the “Device” column, and then “Decision Summary” 

Some drugs of abuse tests may be sold under different brand names although the test itself is identical. If you want to search by a brand name, navigate to: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfClia/Search.cfm, type the brand name into the “Test System / Manufacturer” field and select “Search.” This will produce a list of all of the tests with that name that have been cleared by FDA for marketing. 

FDA also maintains a database of tests that have been cleared for over-the-Counter (OTC) use. If you want to find a specific over-the-counter test, navigate to http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfIVD/Search.cfm and enter any combination of the test (brand) name, the manufacturer name, or the document number (FDA clearance number) and select “Search.” This will display a list of all cleared OTC tests for the fields you entered. You may then select a specific test name. You can also search for all of the OTC tests for a particular drug by selecting it from the “Test Type” drop-down list.

Examples of Decision Summaries for Previously Cleared Drugs of Abuse Tests

Tests designed to be used with urine samples

OTC (home use)

Doctor’s office or Drug Treatment Center 

Lab-based

Tests designed to be used with oral fluid (saliva) samples

Lab-based

Workplace

Tests designed to be used with hair samples

OTC

Product Codes for Drugs of Abuse Tests

The FDA categorizes all regulated drug tests with a unique 3 letter product code. The following table lists commonly used product codes for drugs of abuse tests. 

Common Test Name Product Code Class Regulation Number
amphetamine DKZ 2 862.3100
barbiturate DIS 2 862.3150
benzodiazepine JXM 2 862.3170
cannabinoids LDJ 2 862.3870
cocaine and metabolites DIO 2 862.3250
methadone DJR 2 862.3620
methamphetamine LAF 2 862.3610
opiates DJG 2 862.3650
phencyclidine LCM 2 862.3100
phenobarbital DLZ 2 862.3660
propoxyphene JXN 2 862.3700
tricyclic antidepressants LFG 2 862.3910

You may search for additional product codes using the Classification database. To use this database, navigate: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfPMN/pmn.cfm, type the name of the drug in the “Device” box, and select “Search.”

Reporting Problems to FDA

Prompt reporting of adverse events can help FDA identify and better understand the risks associated with medical products. If you suspect problems with a Drugs of Abuse Testing device, we encourage you to file a voluntary report through MedWatch, the FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting program. Healthcare personnel employed by facilities that are subject to FDA's device user facility reporting requirements should follow the reporting procedures established by their facilities. For more information, please see How to Report a Problem (Medical Devices)



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