Codeine urine drug screen
Quick answer: This urine test checks for codeine, an opioid found in some cough syrups and pain medicines. It may be ordered for drug screening, medical monitoring, or workplace or legal purposes.
- SampleUrine
- TakesA few minutes to give the sample
- Before the testTell staff about any medicines or cough syrups you have taken recently.
How the test is done
- 1You are given a sealed container, and bags or coats may be kept aside
- 2You pass urine into the container, sometimes with staff nearby
- 3Staff check the sample temperature and seal it
- 4A screening test looks for opiates, and a positive may be confirmed by a second method
What your results can mean
Reading your report
A screening result may need a confirmatory test, and prescribed medicines can cause a positive result.
If the result is outside the usual range
A positive result means codeine or a related opiate was found above the test's cut-off, which can come from prescribed medicines, cough syrups or other use. A negative result means none was found above the cut-off at the time of the test.
Who usually has this test
People asked by a doctor, employer or legal process to have a drug screen, and patients on pain treatment who need monitoring.
Risks and aftercare
There are no risks; keep a note of any medicines or cough syrups you took, in case a result needs explaining.
Names and options
Also called: codeine test, opiate urine test
Listed by the hospital as
- CODEINE, URINE DRUG SCREENING
Questions about this test
Can cough syrup cause a positive codeine test?
Yes, some cough syrups and pain medicines contain codeine and can cause a positive result. Tell the staff about any medicines you have taken before the test.
Can eating poppy seeds affect an opiate test?
Poppy seeds can contain small amounts of morphine and codeine and may cause a positive screen. Confirmation tests and the cut-off used help tell food from other sources.
How long does codeine stay in urine?
Codeine is usually found in urine for a day or two after a dose, sometimes longer, depending on the amount taken and the person. Your doctor or the lab can explain what a result means for you.
Related tests
Tamara Hospital & IVF Centre, Rajajinagar
34/3, 10th Cross Road, opp. Vardhaka Sardar Patel School, 1st N Block, 2nd Stage, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru 560010
The hospital is open 24 hours. Call before you come to check the timing for your scan or sample collection.
Get directions ↗IVF Pulse fertility care at Tamara Hospital →
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This page explains each test in general terms so you know what to expect. It is not medical advice: your doctor decides which tests you need and what your results mean. Reference ranges differ between laboratories. Updated 4 November 2026.