Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions.
What is the shelf life of the test kits?
SwabTek's test kits have an indefinite shelf-life, but our current guidance suggests that the tests are "best if used by" 5 years from the date they are manufactured.
Can I use my test past the "Best if Used By" date?
The "best if used by" date on SwabTek's tests is used to indicate the known shelf life of the tests.
It is possible, and even likely in some cases, that the tests will be effective beyond this date, but SwabTek can make no guarantees about performance. Users may be able to use tests beyond this date without any, or with only minimal, impact on performance.
However, users must exercise their own judgement in using the tests beyond this date.
Is the test still positive if only one of the swab or card change color?
Yes, SwabTek's tests indicate a positive result with a color change. This color change happens when the target compound is combined with the test's reagent.
Depending on the circumstances of the sample and test, this color change could occur on the swab, on the card, or on both. Users should inspect both the swab and card for color development, and may treat any development of the target color as a positive.
Cannabis Test Kit.
Can this product detect THC in a vape pen?
Yes, the SwabTek Cannabis Test Kit is capable of detecting cannabinoids in most any paraphernalia, including the oil in vape pens.
If a vape pen has been used, it is even possible to collect a positive sample just from the outside of the mouthpiece, without even gaining access to the oil well.
My test turned yellow or brown, is this a positive result?
No, the color that indicates a positive result is a clear and distinctive red. If the test produced a color that is not a clear red, the test cannot be positive.
Brown and yellow are commonly produced results when the Cannabis Test Kit is negative.
See example results below for comparison:
Can this test detect Δ8-THC or Δ10-THC?
Yes, the SwabTek Cannabis Test Kit is designed to detect all cannabinoids, which includes all isomers/variants of THC.
Although Δ9-THC is the most common form of THC, other forms will also be detected, even if they are synthetically derived.
Does this test detect CBD?
Yes, the SwabTek Cannabis Test Kit is designed to detect all cannabinoids, which includes THC, but also other common compounds such as CBD, CBG, and CBC.
Although the Cannabis Test Kit can detect all of these compounds individually, the test cannot be used to tell you which one is being detected.
General Narcotics Test Kit.
Does this test detect nicotine?
The SwabTek General Narcotics Test Kit is designed to detect drugs and other adulterants, both legal and illegal, including nicotine.
This test will produce the same positive result for all test targets, and cannot be used to specify which substance is present.
If you are using this test for drugs in paraphernalia that is likely to contain nicotine, such as a vape pen, SwabTek recommends additional specificity testing.
Fentanyl+ Test Kit.
Can this test be used for harm reduction/drug checking?
No, the SwabTek and Verifique Fentanyl+ Multi-drug tests are not designed for drug checking, and can not be effectively used for this application.
As a multi-drug test, the Fentanyl+ test produces a positive result for a broad spectrum of narcotics, including opioids, amphetamines, and cocaine. However, the test cannot be used to distinguish between any possible target compound. As such, the test gives no indication of the composition, purity, or concentration of any drug.
Additionally, a negative/no result on the test cannot guarantee that a harmful drug like fentanyl is not present, in another part of the sample or at an undetectable volume, and at no time can/should this information be used to assert that a substance is safe to consume.
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