A lot testing protocol for quality assurance of fentanyl test strips for harm reduction applications

Harm Reduct J. 2024 Aug 21;21(1):152. doi: 10.1186/s12954-024-01058-y.

Abstract

Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are lateral flow immunoassays that were originally designed and validated for detecting low concentrations of fentanyl in urine. Some FTS are now being marketed for the harm reduction purpose of testing street drugs for the presence of fentanyl. This manuscript provides a simple protocol to assess whether different brands and lots of fentanyl test strips perform adequately for use in drug checking. The results gathered from this protocol will document problems with particular lots or brands of FTS, help buyers choose from among the array of products, provide feedback to manufacturers to improve their products, and serve as an early warning system for ineffective products.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / urine
  • Fentanyl* / analysis
  • Fentanyl* / urine
  • Harm Reduction*
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs / analysis
  • Illicit Drugs / urine
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care / methods
  • Reagent Strips*
  • Substance Abuse Detection / methods

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Fentanyl
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Reagent Strips