From the Guidelines
No, tramadol does not show up as oxycodone on a standard drug test. These are two different medications with distinct chemical structures that are detected separately on drug tests. Tramadol is a synthetic opioid analgesic that is typically tested for specifically in expanded or comprehensive drug panels, while oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid that has its own specific test. Standard drug tests (like the common 5-panel test) may not detect tramadol at all, as it requires specific testing. Some key points to consider:
- False positives can occasionally occur due to cross-reactivity with other substances, but tramadol and oxycodone have different metabolic pathways and produce different metabolites in the body 1.
- Confirmatory tests, such as gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, can positively identify a substance and generate quantitative concentrations, reducing the likelihood of false positives 2.
- It is essential to disclose any prescribed medications to the testing facility before the test to avoid confusion about legitimate medication use versus illicit drug use.
- The limitations of the selected matrix, the substances for which the drug panel tests, and potential cross-reactivity should be considered when interpreting drug test results 1.
From the Research
Tramadol and Oxycodone Detection
- Tramadol is a synthetic opioid that can be detected in urine samples using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods 3.
- Oxycodone, on the other hand, is a semi-synthetic opioid that can be distinguished from other opiates, including tramadol, using GC-MS analysis of trimethylsilyl (TMS) ether derivatives 4.
- A study has shown that tramadol, oxycodone, and other opioids can be simultaneously determined in human oral fluid using solid-phase extraction and GC-MS 5.
- Another study has developed a GC-MS method for the simultaneous determination of ketamine, tramadol, methadone, and their metabolites in urine, demonstrating the ability to detect tramadol in urine samples 6.
- GC-MS is a widely used technique for the screening and identification of drugs of abuse, including tramadol and oxycodone 7.
Cross-Reactivity with Oxycodone
- There is no evidence to suggest that tramadol shows up as oxycodone on a standard drug test, as GC-MS methods can distinguish between the two substances 4, 5.
- The studies suggest that tramadol and oxycodone can be detected and distinguished from each other using GC-MS analysis, indicating that tramadol is unlikely to be misidentified as oxycodone on a standard drug test.