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Accredited prescription medicine testing for accurate, reliable results

Prescription medications can be life-changing when used correctly, but they can also be misused, diverted, or avoided altogether. Our prescription medication testing gives you that clarity, accurately and without ambiguity, with results in three working days.
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The detail behind the result

Prescription medications are not always straightforward to test for. Some interact with other substances. Some require specific expertise to interpret correctly. And the difference between compliant use, non-use, and misuse is not always obvious from a basic result. Our confirmation analysis goes beyond a simple positive or negative. Results are reported across a range that covers abstinence through to chronic consumption, giving a meaningful picture of how a medication has been used rather than just whether it was detected. That context is what turns a result into something you can actually act on.

Advantages of hair testing

  • Indicates patterns of drug or alcohol use over weeks and months
  • Highly sensitive; highly accurate
  • Simple, non-invasive collection
  • Fast results

Disadvantages of hair testing

  • Hair tests cannot precisely determine the quantity of substances used by the donor
  • Samples cannot indicate substance use less than 7 days after the incident.
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What we test for

We test for a wide range of prescription and non-prescription medications, including those commonly used to treat depression, anxiety and other conditions where patterns of use carry real significance.

The full list of substances we can identify is available here. If you are unsure whether we can test for a specific medication, our team is always happy to advise before you instruct.

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Important information

Detection windows

For alcohol, 7 days–6 months
For drugs, 7 days–indefinite (dependant on hair length)

Collection method

A hair sample of around 5-millimetre thickness is taken from the head or body of the donor, and deposited in a sealed, tamper-proof envelope. This is sent to the laboratory for testing.

which drugs are detectable?

Please have a look at our Panels available which shows different detection levels or get in touch with our team.

How hair strand
testing works

1. ingestion & metabolism

When a person ingests drugs or alcohol, the substance enters the bloodstream and is broken down by the body into metabolites. These metabolites are chemical markers created as the substance is processed.

2. Incorporation into Hair

As hair grows, these metabolites are deposited into the hair shaft from the bloodstream. Once embedded, they remain locked within the structure of the hair, preserving a record of substance use over time.

3. Laboratory Analysis

A small hair sample is collected and analysed in our UK laboratory. By segmenting the hair, we can assess patterns of drug or alcohol use across defined time periods. The presence of metabolites confirms ingestion by the donor, rather than external contamination.
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Man touching his hairline
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Speak to our team

Not sure which direction to take? Our team will help you figure out what’s right for your circumstances.

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Prescription medication testing FAQs

There are many legitimate reasons — from monitoring compliance with a treatment plan, to legal or welfare proceedings where prescribed drug use is relevant to the case.

We can test for a broad range of prescription drugs, including benzodiazepines, opioids, antidepressants, and antipsychotics, among others.

A prescription won’t invalidate the test, but it is important context. We always recommend declaring relevant medications so our experts can interpret the results accurately and fairly.

Prescription medication testing is most commonly done via hair strand analysis, following the same simple collection process as other hair tests — quick, non-invasive, and straightforward.