Texas Drug Test Panel Codes Explained — BUP, MTD, OPI, AMP, BZO Decoded
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Table of Contents
Core SAMHSA-5 panel codes
| Code | Substance | Detection Window | Cutoff (Confirmation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THC / THCA / CAN | Marijuana metabolite (carboxy-THC) | 3-30+ days | 15 ng/mL |
| COC / BZE | Cocaine (benzoylecgonine metabolite) | 1-4 days | 100 ng/mL |
| OPI / MOR / COD | Opiates (morphine, codeine) | 1-3 days | 2,000 ng/mL |
| 6-AM / HER | Heroin-specific metabolite (6-acetylmorphine) | 4-8 hours | 10 ng/mL |
| AMP / MAMP / MET | Amphetamine / methamphetamine | 1-4 days | 250 ng/mL |
| MDMA | MDMA / MDA (ecstasy) | 1-3 days | 250 ng/mL |
| PCP | Phencyclidine | 1-8 days | 25 ng/mL |
Expanded 10-panel codes
| Code | Substance | Detection Window | Cutoff (Confirmation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAR | Barbiturates (phenobarbital, secobarbital, butalbital) | 2-10+ days | 200 ng/mL |
| BZO / BENZO | Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan, etc.) | 3-30+ days | 100 ng/mL |
| MTD | Methadone | 3-7 days | 100 ng/mL |
| EDDP | Methadone metabolite | 3-7 days | 100 ng/mL |
| MQL | Methaqualone (Quaaludes — largely historical) | n/a | n/a |
| PPX | Propoxyphene (Darvon — phased out 2010) | n/a | n/a |
12-panel and expanded codes
| Code | Substance | Cutoff (Confirmation) |
|---|---|---|
| OXY | Oxycodone, oxymorphone | 50 ng/mL |
| HYD / HYC | Hydrocodone, hydromorphone | 100 ng/mL |
| BUP / BUPE | Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex) | 5 ng/mL |
| FEN / FENT | Fentanyl and analogs | 1 ng/mL |
| NOR-FEN | Norfentanyl (fentanyl metabolite) | 1 ng/mL |
| TRA / TRAM | Tramadol | 100 ng/mL |
| CAR | Carisoprodol (Soma) | 200 ng/mL |
| MEP | Meprobamate (Soma metabolite) | 200 ng/mL |
| ETG | Ethyl glucuronide (alcohol metabolite — 80-hour window) | 500 ng/mL |
| ETS | Ethyl sulfate (alcohol metabolite) | 100 ng/mL |
| K2 / SYN-CAN | Synthetic cannabinoids (JWH, AB-FUBINACA, AMB-FUBINACA) | varies |
| BATH | Synthetic cathinones (bath salts) | varies |
| KRAT | Kratom (mitragynine) | varies |
| LSD | Lysergic acid diethylamide | varies |
| KET | Ketamine | varies |
Specimen validity codes
In addition to substance codes, lab reports include specimen validity testing. These codes flag potential tampering:
- CR / Creatinine: Normal range 20-300 mg/dL. Below 20 indicates dilution.
- pH: Normal range 4.5-8.0. Outside range indicates adulteration.
- SG / Specific Gravity: Normal range 1.003-1.030. Below 1.003 indicates dilution.
- Nitrites (NIT): Should be negative. Positive indicates adulteration product use.
- Glutaraldehyde (GLU): Should be negative. Positive indicates adulteration.
- Bleach / Chromate / Pyridinium: Adulteration indicators.
- Substitution: Indicates synthetic urine or non-human sample.
A "dilute" specimen result is treated as inconclusive — sometimes credited as negative, sometimes required to be re-collected, sometimes treated as a refused test. Probation department policy varies.
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Key Legal Terms
- Penalty Group
- Texas Health & Safety Code § 481.102-481.105 classification of controlled substances by abuse potential and accepted medical use. Determines weight tiers and punishment ranges.
- Article 38.23
- Texas Code of Criminal Procedure exclusionary rule. Evidence obtained in violation of any federal or Texas constitutional or statutory provision is inadmissible against the accused.
- Aggregation
- Texas H&S § 481.002(5) rule that the total weight of any controlled substance, including adulterants and dilutants, counts toward the offense weight tier.
- 3g Offense
- CCP Article 42A.054 list of offenses ineligible for judicial probation and requiring 50% sentence served before parole eligibility (formerly Article 42.12 § 3g).
- Pretrial Diversion
- Pre-charge alternative under CCP Article 32.02 in which the prosecution agrees to dismiss charges upon successful completion of conditions (counseling, community service, restitution).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does OPI mean on a drug test?
Opiates — primarily codeine and morphine. The standard opiate panel does not detect semi-synthetic opioids (oxycodone, hydrocodone) or synthetic opioids (fentanyl, methadone) — those require separate panel codes.
What does BZO mean on a drug test?
Benzodiazepines — including Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), and others. Detection window varies by substance from 3 days to 30+ days.
What does AMP mean on a drug test?
Amphetamines — including amphetamine, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs like Adderall and Vyvanse. A positive AMP without prescription documentation triggers further investigation.
What does THCA mean on a drug test?
Tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid — the metabolite of THC. This is what marijuana panels actually detect. Detection windows depend heavily on use frequency, from 3 days for occasional users to 30+ days for chronic daily users.
What does dilute specimen mean?
Creatinine or specific gravity below normal range, indicating the sample was watered down. Probation departments treat dilute specimens differently — sometimes as inconclusive (requiring re-test), sometimes as suspected tampering.
