What Does Bup Mean on a Drug Test?

There are almost 21 million Americans who battle with at least one addiction, and of those, approximately 2.1 million have an Opioid addiction problem. At this time, buprenorphine/naloxone, methadone, and naltrexone are used to treat opioid use disorder, with buprenorphine being the most commonly prescribed.

So what does BUP mean on a drug test, and should you be testing for it? If you are considering testing employees or new job candidates, then this article is for you.

What Is Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine (BUP) was initially intended to help treat people battling opioid addiction in a Medication Assisted Treatment (“MAT”) program. It is the primary ingredient in Bunavail, Subutex, Suboxone, and Zubsolv.

It’s a class 3 prescription drug that relieves the symptoms of heroin withdrawal which includes nausea, agitation, and insomnia. BUP can also be used to treat acute and chronic pain.

The benefit of buprenorphine is that it has a lower addiction rate than regular opioids, and it lasts in the system for about three days. There is also a lower risk of overdose than methadone. However, the side effects of buprenorphine include flu-like symptoms, sweating, headaches, insomnia, mood swings, and nausea.

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In addition, buprenorphine can cause dangerously diminished breathing, primarily when combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants.

Unfortunately, it has become a common drug to buy off the streets for many reasons. First, it is much easier to acquire than heroin or other opiates, and secondly, it is inexpensive to buy due to its availability. In addition, BUP gives the user a euphoric high in low doses. Some people also use it as a temporary fix until their doctor can refill the legit prescription.

Why Test for Drugs?

A lot of companies are implementing a drug-free environment. As a result, testing your employees can achieve a few things.

First, the fact that an employee might get tested at any time will deter them from using drugs recreationally. Second, it also assists the company by removing the chance of hiring someone who is abusing drugs. And finally, if a test should come up positive with an employee, the company can then identify them early and assist the employee in getting treatment sooner.

Tests are also virtually immediate these days. For example, with a BUP urine drug test, you can get results in up to 8 minutes.

Does Buprenorphine Show Up on a Drug Test?

Despite being very similar in its effects to heroin, medications like Suboxone will not appear on a regular heroin test. Instead, they will need a test specifically for buprenorphine, which is the active ingredient.

Regular drug tests that do not state that they screen for buprenorphine will not test for the BUP drug.

How long does Buprenorphine stay in your system?

The effects of Buprenorphine last for 24 hours. Therefore, after one dose of buprenorphine, no trace of the drug would be expected to be found after 5 to 8 days in healthy people or 7 to 14 days in those with medical complications.

Why Do People Abuse Opioids?

Overdoses and deaths occur all too frequently from the misuse of opioids. In fact, about 130 Americans die every day from opioid overdoses. In addition, opioids can be sniffed, smoked, injected, or swallowed, making them even easier to abuse.

Opioids also cause euphoria and feelings of wellness, but also, in a controlled environment, they can reduce feelings of anxiety, aggression, and tension. However, despite the positive uses, they also contribute to drug dependency and abuse.

Types of Tests

If you’re testing for BUP specifically, you will want to administer a BUP drug test. There are two straightforward ways to test for BUP: saliva and urine. In addition, you can buy bulk drug test strips if you know you’re going to test many people or perhaps one person many times.

Let’s have a look at some of the tests available out there:

Drug test cups

This type of buprenorphine urine test comes in various sized kits, ranging from 6 panels to 16 panels. These most commonly screen for, but are not limited to:

• Amphetamine (AMP)
• Cocaine (COC)
• Oxycodone (OXY)
• Buprenorphine (BUP)
• Barbiturates (BAR)
• Opioids/Morphine (OPI/MOR)

The 8-16 panel test kits will also test for other substances such as alcohol, PCP, Fentanyl, Kratom, etc. You can purchase these tests in bulk or as individual strips.

The downside to these urine tests is that they need to be scheduled, and privacy is needed in a bathroom.

There is also a risk that the urine sample could be tampered with before accurate test results can be returned.

Saliva oral swabs:

Saliva oral swabs are convenient and easy to use and detect recent usage or drugs in the system for 24-72 hours after use. These tests are usually come in 10-panel kits and will screen for the following:

• Amphetamine (AMP)
• Methamphetamine (MET)
• Benzodiazepines (BZO)
• Cocaine (COC)
• Oxycodone (OXY)
• Buprenorphine (BUP)
• Ecstasy (MDMA)
• Cannabinoid (THC)
• Barbiturates (BAR)
• Phencyclidine (PCP)

These saliva swab tests can usually be bought individually or in bulk. Saliva tests are also very convenient as they eliminate the need for a bathroom and are much more difficult to fake.

Results from saliva administered tests can be assessed in under ten minutes.

What Does BUP Mean on a Drug Test?

Suppose your employee has tested positive for buprenorphine. In that case, that is a good indication that they are on a treatment program for opioid abuse and does not necessarily mean the employee is using BUP recreationally.

It’s not all bad though, coming up positive will also mean that your employee is taking their prescription medication correctly if they are in a Medication Assisted Treatment program.

Need a Test?

We hope that this article has given you a better insight into how BUP drug tests work. Now that we’ve covered everything about buprenorphine, you shouldn’t have to ask yourself, “what does BUP mean on a drug test?” anymore.

Buprenorphine drug tests are a great way to ensure your employees aren’t abusing drugs. If you need assistance getting drug testing kits, contact us, and we’ll help you find the right ones for your business. Bulk quantities available.

Conclusion:

Buprenorphine (BUP) plays a crucial role in the treatment of opioid addiction, and it is important for employers to understand its use and detection through drug testing. Whether you’re implementing drug tests to ensure workplace safety or supporting employees in recovery, testing for buprenorphine can be a valuable tool. By understanding the specific tests for BUP and its presence in the system, you can make informed decisions about employee health and wellness programs. If you’re ready to take action, there are various testing kits available to suit your business needs, from bulk test strips to individual tests for urine or saliva samples.

More Products We Offer: 

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FAQs

1. What does BUP mean on a drug test?
   • BUP stands for buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction. It appears on drug tests specifically designed to detect buprenorphine, which may indicate someone is undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder or is misusing the drug.
2. Why would an employee test positive for buprenorphine?
   • A positive result may indicate that the employee is taking buprenorphine as prescribed for opioid addiction treatment under a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program. It does not necessarily mean they are using it recreationally.
3. How long does buprenorphine stay in the system?
   • Buprenorphine typically stays in the system for about 5 to 8 days in healthy individuals, and up to 14 days for those with medical complications, after the last dose.
4. What is the difference between regular drug tests and those that test for BUP?
   • Regular drug tests typically screen for common drugs like cocaine, marijuana, and amphetamines. A test specifically for buprenorphine is required to detect this medication, as it does not show up in standard opioid or heroin tests.
5. How can buprenorphine be abused?
   • Some individuals abuse buprenorphine because it is easier to acquire than heroin or other opiates, and it can produce a euphoric high in low doses. It can be bought illegally off the streets or used by those who are awaiting prescription refills.
6. What are the side effects of buprenorphine?
   • Buprenorphine can cause side effects such as flu-like symptoms, mood swings, nausea, headaches, insomnia, and sweating. It may also cause dangerously slowed breathing, especially when combined with alcohol or other depressants.
7. How do I know if I need to test for buprenorphine?
   • If you suspect an employee is undergoing opioid addiction treatment or if there is a concern about misuse, testing specifically for buprenorphine may be necessary. Regular drug tests may not detect this substance.
8. What types of drug tests are available for buprenorphine?
   • Buprenorphine can be detected using urine or saliva tests. Urine tests are typically done in a controlled environment and can take a bit longer for results. Saliva tests are quicker and more convenient, providing results in under 10 minutes.
9. Can buprenorphine be detected with a saliva test?
   • Yes, saliva tests can detect buprenorphine, and they are especially useful for detecting recent use within 24-72 hours after consumption.
10. How can drug testing help my business?

• Implementing drug testing can help maintain a drug-free workplace by deterring drug use, ensuring employees are not abusing drugs, and identifying individuals who may need assistance in getting treatment, thus promoting overall safety and productivity.