Does Codeine Show Up on a Drug Test?

Evidence-based answer reviewed against SAMHSA cutoffs and FDA assay documentation · Updated August 2026

Quick answer: Yes. Codeine is one of the core analytes on standard 5-, 10-, and 12-panel drug tests. Covered by the standard opiate strip: 2,000 ng/mL morphine/codeine.

Which panels screen for it

PanelCodeine status
5-Panel✅ Included
10-Panel✅ Included
12-Panel✅ Included
DOT 5-panel (safety-sensitive)✅ Included

The details that matter

Lean's codeine lands squarely on the classic opiate panel — this is one street drug standard testing catches without any expansion.

Promethazine itself isn't screened, but it can flag old-generation amphetamine screens as a false positive; confirmation sorts it out.

Prescription codeine (codeine-acetaminophen tablets, cough syrup) verifies via MRO like any opioid script.

If it IS detected, how long does it last?

Ranges reflect occasional-to-heavy use patterns from FDA device inserts and SAMHSA-certified lab conventions.
Test typeTypical Codeine detection window
Urineany: 1–3 days (codeine)
Saliva (Mouth Swab)any: 1–2 days
Hair Folliclesup to 90 days
Bloodany: ~12–24 hours

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Medical disclaimer: DrugPanels provides educational information about laboratory drug testing and does not offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Detection windows are population ranges — individual results vary with metabolism, dose, frequency and health status. Never stop prescribed medication to pass a test without talking to your prescriber. Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links; if you order through them we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

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How Long Does Codeine Stay in Urine Drug Test?

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Does Promethazine Show up on Drug Test?

Yes — Codeine sits on standard 5/10/12-panel screens. Prescription? Declare it for MRO verification.

Will Promethazine Show up in a Drug Test?

Yes — Codeine sits on standard 5/10/12-panel screens. Prescription? Declare it for MRO verification.

How accurate are drug tests?

Lab-based immunoassay screens agree with confirmation testing ~97% of the time; confirmed GC–MS results are considered definitive. Home kits trade legal defensibility for convenience.

Do prescriptions count against me?

No — verified prescriptions report as negative through the Medical Review Officer. Declare medications at collection and answer the follow-up call.

Sources & further reading

  • SAMHSA — Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (cutoffs, MRO process)
  • DOT — 49 CFR Part 40 procedures for transportation workplace testing
  • Brahm NC et al., Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2008;83(1):66–76 — false-positive cross-reactivity reference
  • FDA — drug-of-abuse test device labeling (detection window conventions)