Useful For

Fentanyl [N-(1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl)-N-phenylpropanamide] is a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic similar to morphine. Fentanyl is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed for patients with chronic pain and is used to manage pain after surgery or for treatment of breakthrough pain in cancer patients. Fentanyl is prescribed in various forms: by injection (intravenous or intramuscular), transdermal patch, and orally (transmucosal lozenge or film). Fentanyl can be abused in a manner similar to other opioid agonists, legal or illicit. All patients receiving opioids should be routinely monitored for signs of misuse, abuse and addiction. Fentanyl has high potency and short duration of action, and is abused for its intense euphoric effects. It is very dangerous when illicitly substituted for other opioids due to its potency, and overdoses can lead to respiratory depression and death. It is a Schedule II substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act.

The ARK Fentanyl II Assay is an immunoassay intended for the qualitative detection of fentanyl in human urine at a cutoff concentration of 1.0 ng/mL. In order to obtain a confirmed positive analytical result, a more specific alternative method must be used. Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) or Liquid Chromatography/tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) are the preferred confirmatory methods. Clinical consideration and professional judgment should be exercised with any drug test result, particularly when the preliminary test result is positive.