What Does PCP Mean on a Drug Test? (Phencyclidine)?

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

Quick answer: PCP is the laboratory abbreviation for Phencyclidine. PCP anchors the federal five at a tight 25 ng/mL. DXM, diphenhydramine and venlafaxine are famous screen-falsifiers here.

Reading your cup or lab report

Multi-panel cups print 2–4 letter codes beside each strip line. One line per drug class; a visible control line plus absent drug line = negative for that class. Faint lines still count as present (they're competitive-inhibition assays) — the classic misread.

About PCP

Urine: 25 ng/mL initial and confirm.

PCP anchors the original federal 5-panel at a tight 25 ng/mL cutoff. Chronic use extends urine detection unusually long due to accumulation in fatty tissue and enterohepatic recirculation.

Detection windows

Ranges reflect occasional-to-heavy use patterns from FDA device inserts and SAMHSA-certified lab conventions.
Test typeTypical PCP detection window
Urineoccasional: 3–7 days · heavy: up to 14–30 days in chronic users (lipid storage)
Saliva (Mouth Swab)any: 1–3 days
Hair Folliclesup to 90 days
Bloodany: 1–3 days

Related codes on the same cup

Cups group codes logically: AMP/mAMP (stimulants), OPI/MOP/OXY/BUP (opioid family), BZO/BAR (depressants), COC/THC/PCP (classics), plus validity markers like creatinine printed on lab reports rather than cups.

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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.

People also ask

Does Pcp Show up on a Drug Test?

Yes — PCP appears on standard drug panels. Full guide →

PCP Drug Test Guide: Panels, Detection Windows & More?

Complete PCP drug test guide: which panels detect it, urine/hair/saliva/blood detection windows, cutoff levels and prescription verification. Full guide →

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.

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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)