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Doctor's Assessment Included

Every result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.

Drug Screening

Cocaine Metabolite

A cocaine urine test is a qualitative screening that detects the presence of cocaine and its primary metabolite benzoylecgonine in urine. Cocaine is a potent central nervous system stimulant derived from the coca plant.

What It Measures

This test primarily detects benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite of cocaine, in urine. Cocaine itself is rapidly metabolised and has a very short half-life, but benzoylecgonine persists in the body for a longer period, making it the preferred target for urine screening.

The test provides a qualitative result indicating whether benzoylecgonine is present above the assay cut-off level.

Why It Matters

Cocaine screening is a standard component of workplace, clinical, and forensic drug testing panels. Detection of benzoylecgonine indicates cocaine exposure within the relevant detection window.

Accurate detection supports clinical assessment, treatment monitoring, and compliance verification in various professional and legal settings.

When to Test

Testing may be relevant as part of standard workplace drug screening, pre-employment testing, clinical evaluations, substance abuse treatment monitoring, or emergency toxicology assessments.

Consult a healthcare professional for guidance on testing protocols and result interpretation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can cocaine be detected in urine?
Cocaine metabolites (primarily benzoylecgonine) are generally detectable in urine for approximately 2 to 4 days after use. Heavy or chronic use may extend the detection window. Individual metabolism, hydration, and dosage all influence detectability.
Can anything cause a false positive for cocaine?
False positives for cocaine are relatively uncommon with modern immunoassay methods. However, certain substances have been reported to cause cross-reactivity in rare cases. Confirmatory testing using mass spectrometry can definitively verify the presence of cocaine metabolites.
What should I expect from a cocaine urine test?
The test requires a urine sample, which is screened for benzoylecgonine using immunoassay. Results are qualitative, indicating detection above or below the assay threshold. A confirmatory test may follow a positive screening result.

Test Products

This marker is included in the following test panels.