Depending on the type of drug, its substance or its residues can only be detected in the urine for a limited time.
The table below shows the detection time in days and their sensitivity. The „cut-off“ value determines when a result is positive. This sensitivity value has been set to avoid false results as much as possible. As an example, the passive smoking of a hemp cigarette can be mentioned here. If the sensitivity value were to be fully exploited, even pure passive smoking would be assessed as positive and thus deliver a false result.

Why are there different cut-off values?

The high sensitivity of rapid drug tests leads to a limit value being set in the analysis of narcotics. This cut-off is chosen in such a way that accidental contamination such as the aforementioned example of „passive smoking of a hemp cigarette“ or „touching banknotes contaminated with drugs“ does not lead to a positive result. Depending on the area of application, there are different cutt-off values for the same substance. In Switzerland, there is practically zero tolerance for cannabis in road traffic. The current limit is 1.5 ng/ml THC in the blood. In a standard drug screening, the cut-off value is much higher at 50 ng/ml. Depending on the application and sample material, the cut-off can therefore vary.

Some of the rapid drug tests offered are available with different detection limits. If the concentration of the substance or its degradation product is below the detection limit, the rapid test cannot detect drug use. In this case, it is recommended to repeat the test with a lower detection limit.

The following table shows the cut-off value and the detection time for urine tests. In the case of saliva samples, the detection time is sometimes only a few hours. Please refer to the information on the respective product page. (List not exhaustive)