What is the typical SAMHSA cutoff for Amphetamines in the screening panel?

What is the typical SAMHSA cutoff for Amphetamines in the screening panel?

• A. 250 ng/mL
• B. 500 ng/mL
• C. 1000 ng/mL
• D. 300 ng/mL

Answer: (B)

In drug screening, a cutoff is the concentration that makes a screening result potentially positive and prompts a confirmatory test. For amphetamines, a commonly used screening threshold in many panels is 500 ng/mL. This level balances detecting meaningful exposure with limiting false positives from other substances that can cross-react in immunoassays. When a specimen exceeds this cutoff, it goes on to a more specific confirmatory test (like GC-MS or LC-MS/MS) to verify the result.

Note that official SAMHSA guidance for federal workplace testing historically cited a higher initial screening cutoff (around 1000 ng/mL) for amphetamines, so labs may use 500 ng/mL in nonfederal or older panels. Always refer to the specific lab’s stated cutoffs, as practice can vary.