Propoxyphene Drug Test: Pre-Employment and Random Testing
As an employer, one of your main responsibilities is to ensure the safety of your workforce. This doesn’t just mean providing a safe working environment, but also making sure your employees are fit for work. Drug use can affect judgment, coordination, reaction time, and concentration, which can all lead to accidents and injuries in the workplace.
Propoxyphene, also known as Darvocet, is a prescription painkiller that has been banned in the U.S. since 2010 due to its potential for overdoses and heart problems. However, there are still ways employees can obtain and use this drug, which can show up on a drug test. In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about Propoxyphene drug tests, including how to prevent cheating and where to find drug testing near you.
1. How long does Propoxyphene stay in your system?
It’s important to understand how long Propoxyphene can be detected in the body before scheduling a drug test. The detection window can vary depending on the drug test type and the individual’s metabolism and frequency of use.
– Urine test: Propoxyphene can be detected in urine for up to 3 days after the last use.
– Saliva test: Propoxyphene can be detected in saliva for up to 2 days.
– Hair test: Propoxyphene can be detected in hair for up to 90 days.
Knowing the detection window can help you determine what type of drug test to use and when to schedule it.
2. What are the signs and symptoms of Propoxyphene use?
If you suspect an employee is using Propoxyphene, look for the following signs and symptoms:
– Drowsiness or lethargy
– Confusion or disorientation
– Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
– Poor coordination or balance
– Nausea and vomiting
– Pinpoint pupils
– Slow or shallow breathing
– Respiratory problems
If an employee is exhibiting any of these symptoms, you should remove them from the worksite and refer them to a drug test. If you believe the person is under the influence of propoxyphene, alcohol or any other drug, it is highly recommended that you escort the employee to the testing facility or order them transportation such as Uber or Lyft.
3. What types of drug tests can detect Propoxyphene?
There are several types of drug tests that can detect Propoxyphene:
– Urine test: This is the most common type of drug test and can detect Propoxyphene and its metabolites.
– Saliva test: This test is non-invasive and can detect Propoxyphene for up to 2 days.
– Hair follicle test: This test can detect Propoxyphene use for up to 90 days and is often used for pre-employment screening.
– Oral fluid test is the same as Saliva: This test is also non-invasive and can detect Propoxyphene for up to 2 days.
4. How to prevent cheating on a drug test?
Cheating on a drug test is a concern for employers, but there are steps you can take to prevent it:
– Utilize professionally trained and certified collectors. Professional collectors are trained to watch for suspicious behavior.
– Use a controlled environment, like a laboratory, to prevent tampering with samples.
– Use random drug testing to discourage employees from using drugs, even if they know when the test will occur.
– Use Oral Fluid Drug Testing or Saliva Drug test. Every oral fluid collection is observed by the collector and donor’s ability to cheat is compromised due to the observed collection. Oral fluids typically detects more positives than urine due to the observed collection protection. You can observe a urine test if specimen is cold, collector detected tampering, Return to Duty Testing, Follow-up testing.
– Use Hair Testing. Hair Follicle testing collection is observed by the collector and donor’s ability to cheat is compromised due to the observed collection. Hair Follicle Testing typically detects more positives than urine due to 90 day detection time and the observed collection protection.
5. Where to find drug testing near you?
There are many options for drug testing near your workplace or employee’s home: The best option is to contact Workplace Screening Intelligence as we have over 20,000 collections sites that are located close to your workplace or your employee’s home. A benefit is all in-network collection sites charge the same fee which makes it easier for invoice reconciliation and budgeting.
Need to order a drug screen today? We have 20,000 locations near your workplace or your employee’s home. Contact our Knowledgeable Support Staff at 844-573-8378 or support@workplacescreening.com or press on link to order now: https://workplacescreening.com/order-here/
– DOT physicals and drug tests can be conducted at a DOT-approved medical examiner’s office. You can contact Workplace Screening Intelligence to order a physical today. We have Physical testing sites near your workplace or your employee’s home.
Need to order a physical screen today? We have 3,500 locations near your workplace or your employee’s home. Contact our Knowledgeable Support Staff at 844-573-8378 or support@workplacescreening.com or press on link to order now: https://workplacescreening.com/order-here/
– Non-DOT physicals and drug tests can be conducted at a medical facility
– FMCSA Clearinghouse Support offers a database of certified drug testing providers.
Medial Review Officer (MRO)
We highly recommend that you utilize a Medical Review Officer. It levels the playing field for employers and employees. The MRO makes sure everything is fair and also talks to the donor should their specimen be positive. The MRO verifies if a prescription is legal and answer why the individual is positive. Additionally, if you are taking a narcotic and have a safety sensitive duty, they may send a safety sensitive letter to the employer to address an employee with safety sensitive duties and taking narcotics. For example, your fork lift driver is taking a prescription for a narcotic that his physician wrote for him. Perhaps the physician didn’t realize or know he drove a fork lift and/or had safety sensitive duties. The letter will address remediating the situation. Normally, the physician will write a new prescription.
Propoxyphene drug tests are an important tool for maintaining a safe and productive workforce. Employers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of Propoxyphene use, the types of drug tests available, and how to prevent cheating. By partnering with a reputable drug testing provider, you can ensure your employees are fit for work and meet regulatory requirements. If you need a drug test today, don’t hesitate to reach out to Workplace Screening intelligence at 844-573-8378 or support@workplacescreening.com or press on link to order now: https://workplacescreening.com/order-here/