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Urine drug tests measure metabolites that remain in the body for longer, so they are better for identifying recent and past use over several days. Oral fluid (saliva) tests focus on what is circulating in the mouth and bloodstream right now, so they are better at indicating very recent use and potential impairment. Both are valuable, but they answer slightly different questions.

Oral fluid tests are usually best for detecting very recent use — typically within the last few hours. They are commonly used for post-incident, for-cause, roadside, and “fit for duty” checks because saliva correlates more closely with near-term consumption than urine.

Urine tests generally have a longer detection window than oral fluid. Many drugs are detectable in urine for 1–3 days, and some (such as certain benzodiazepines or frequent cannabis use) can remain detectable for longer. This is why urine testing is often chosen for routine workplace screening and rehabilitation monitoring, where capturing a wider window of use is important.

Both urine and oral fluid devices provide high accuracy when used correctly, typically >95% agreement with laboratory methods. The key difference is not accuracy but timeframe (recent use vs longer look-back) and the drug panels selected. Unexpected results from any screening test should be confirmed by a laboratory method such as GC-MS or LC-MS.

Oral fluid tests are generally easier to supervise because sample collection can be directly observed. This makes substitution and dilution much more difficult. Urine tests include safeguards such as temperature strips and adulteration pads, but they still rely on controlled collection procedures.

Yes. Modern oral fluid devices are CE/UKCA/ISO-certified for professional use and are widely used in transport, construction, security, and safety-critical roles. Many organisations use urine tests for routine programmes and keep oral fluid tests available for incident-related or impairment-focused checks.

In most cases, yes. Both urine and oral fluid panels can include common drugs such as cocaine (COC), cannabis/THC, amphetamines, methamphetamine (MET), benzodiazepines, ketamine (KET), MDMA, tramadol, methadone, and opiates. However, not every panel includes every analyte. Always check the product description to see exactly which drug abbreviations appear on the device.

Think about your primary goal. If you need a wider look-back window to monitor patterns of use, urine testing is usually preferred. If you are focused on near-term impairment (for example, post-incident or “fit for duty” checks), oral fluid is often the better choice. Many organisations use a combination of both: urine for regular screening, oral fluid for on-the-spot decisions.

Ketamine will only show up if the device specifically includes a ketamine (KET) strip. Some 9-panel or 12-panel urine cups and several oral fluid devices are designed with dedicated ketamine panels because of its growing use in clubs and clinical settings. Always check the panel list — if you see KET on the front of the device or in the product description, ketamine is included.

On multi-panel cups, KET is the common abbreviation for ketamine. A clear control line and no test line next to KET indicates a screen-positive result for ketamine at or above the device cut-off. As with all screening tests, any non-negative result should be confirmed by an accredited laboratory.

MDMA is the active ingredient in ecstasy and “molly”. On many panels it appears as MDMA or as part of an amphetamine group. If MDMA is listed on your cup or oral fluid device, it is designed to detect MDMA use within the stated detection window (typically around 1–3 days in urine and a shorter period in oral fluid).

Tramadol is a prescription painkiller and will only be detected if the device includes a dedicated TRAM or tramadol strip. Several AttoSure urine cups and oral fluid devices specifically include tramadol because it is a common prescription medicine with misuse potential. If you do not see tramadol listed on the panel, that particular test is unlikely to detect it.

Yes. On most multi-panel tests, COC is the standard abbreviation for cocaine. Urine tests typically detect cocaine metabolites for around 1–3 days (longer in heavy use), while oral fluid tests focus on a shorter, recent-use window. Always read the result at the time stated in the instructions, usually 5–10 minutes after running the test.

Codeine and hydrocodone are usually detected under the broader opiates / opioids category. For occasional use, many opiates are detectable in urine for around 1–3 days. Detection can be longer with regular or high-dose use, and cut-offs vary between devices and laboratories. For precise interpretation, a clinician or toxicology lab should review the full context and any medication history.

“Molly” is a street name often used for MDMA. If your panel lists MDMA explicitly, or if it includes an ecstasy/MDMA strip, the device is designed to detect this drug within its typical urine detection window. Always check the list of analytes on the product page or the cup label to confirm coverage.

Large amounts of poppy seeds and certain over-the-counter or prescription medicines have occasionally been associated with screen-positive opiate or other results. Modern cut-offs are designed to reduce this risk, but it is still possible. This is why any unexpected screen result – especially where foods or legitimate medication may be involved – should be followed up with a confirmatory laboratory test.

Detection windows are typical ranges, not guarantees. Factors such as dose, frequency of use, body weight, hydration, and individual metabolism all affect how long drugs can be detected in urine or oral fluid. The tables on each AttoSure product page are designed as a guide for employers and healthcare professionals, not as a way to predict exact clearance times for any one person.