Cotinine Screen, Urine
Also known as: COTININE
Use
This urine screening test is used for determining active exposure to nicotine and compliance with smoking-cessation programs. It serves as a presumptive test to evaluate whether individuals have been exposed to nicotine either through direct tobacco use, nicotine replacement therapy, or passive inhalation (second-hand smoke). For more detailed analysis or differentiation between nicotine replacement therapy and tobacco use, the 'Nicotine and Metabolites, Urine, Quantitative' test is preferred.
Special Instructions
Testing is available seven days a week from Sunday to Saturday. The 'Cotinine Screen, Urine' test has a positive cutoff value set at 500 ng/mL. Specimens must be handled according to the specified conditions to avoid rejection.
Limitations
A presumptive positive result by immunoassay does not confirm the presence of nicotine. False positives may occur, and confirmatory testing by mass spectrometry is recommended if necessary. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles may compromise the integrity of samples and lead to unreliable results.
New York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (ELISA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 12293-7
Result Turnaround Time
1-5 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Urine
Volume
4 mL
Minimum Volume
2 mL
Container
ARUP standard transport tube
Collection Instructions
Transfer 4 mL urine with no additives to the ARUP standard transport tube.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerated
Causes for Rejection
Specimens exposed to repeated freeze/thaw cycles
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 10 days |
| Refrigerated | 10 days |
| Frozen | 8 months |
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