Antidepressants

Does a drug test detect Norfluoxetine?

Yes. Norfluoxetine is one of the 76 compounds in the LabX LC-MS/MS confirmation panel, reported as detected at or above 50 ng/mL. It is a breakdown product of fluoxetine (Prozac). Norfluoxetine is not one of the 12 lines on the LabX 12-panel screen. It is identified by adding laboratory confirmation, which tests for all 76 compounds on the panel.

50 ng/mLLaboratory cut-off
50–5,000 ng/mLReportable range
1-3 daysApprox. window (varies)
LC-MS/MSConfirmation method

What is Norfluoxetine?

Norfluoxetine is the active metabolite of fluoxetine. It is cleared from the body more slowly than fluoxetine itself.

Medical use

Norfluoxetine is not prescribed on its own; it reflects fluoxetine that has been taken.

Because Norfluoxetine comes from Fluoxetine, the two are reported side by side and read together.

How LabX tests for Norfluoxetine

Norfluoxetine is measured by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which separates the compounds in a sample and identifies each one by its mass. That is different from a rapid screen, which reacts to a family of drugs and can occasionally react to a related substance. The laboratory reports Norfluoxetine as detected when its concentration is at or above the cut-off of 50 ng/mL, within a reportable range of 50–5,000 ng/mL. It is one of 14 compounds in the antidepressants family on the 76-drug confirmation panel.

Detection window

The laboratory's confirmation report lists an approximate detection window of 1-3 days for Norfluoxetine. Treat that as a rough guide only: how long any compound stays measurable varies with the amount taken, how often it is used, body composition, metabolism, kidney and liver function, and hydration. A laboratory result cannot be used to work out when a substance was taken.

Screen versus confirmation

Norfluoxetine is not one of the 12 lines on the LabX 12-panel screen. It is identified by adding laboratory confirmation, which tests for all 76 compounds on the panel.

Worth knowing

The long persistence of norfluoxetine is one reason detection windows for fluoxetine vary so much between people.

About this drug family

Commonly prescribed antidepressants and their metabolites. They are not part of standard drug screens and are identified when a clinician needs a full medication picture.

Common questions

Does a drug test detect Norfluoxetine?

Yes. Norfluoxetine is one of the 76 compounds in the LabX LC-MS/MS confirmation panel, reported as detected at or above 50 ng/mL. It is a breakdown product of fluoxetine (Prozac). Norfluoxetine is not one of the 12 lines on the LabX 12-panel screen. It is identified by adding laboratory confirmation, which tests for all 76 compounds on the panel.

What is the laboratory cut-off for Norfluoxetine?

LabX reports Norfluoxetine as detected at or above 50 ng/mL, and the method's reportable range is 50–5,000 ng/mL. A result below the cut-off is reported as not detected; it does not prove none was present.

How long can Norfluoxetine be detected?

The laboratory lists an approximate window of 1-3 days, but it varies with dose, frequency of use, metabolism and hydration, and cannot be used to tell when something was taken.

Can a 12-panel drug screen detect Norfluoxetine?

Norfluoxetine is not one of the 12 lines on the LabX 12-panel screen. It is identified by adding laboratory confirmation, which tests for all 76 compounds on the panel.

Is Norfluoxetine a prescription medicine?

Norfluoxetine is not prescribed on its own; it reflects fluoxetine that has been taken.

What drug does Norfluoxetine come from?

Norfluoxetine is a breakdown product of fluoxetine (Prozac). Laboratories measure it because it shows the parent drug was actually processed by the body.

Related compounds

Terms on this page: metabolite Β· cut-off Β· detection window Β· presumptive result Β· confirmation test. More questions: LabX answers.

Test for Norfluoxetine and 75 other compounds

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Talk to a licensed physician. LabX Diagnostics and Vantage provide laboratory testing only. The information on this page is educational and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician or other qualified healthcare provider about test results, symptoms or medicines, and before making any health decision. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911. Read our medical disclaimer.

Medical disclaimer. LabX Diagnostics and Vantage provide laboratory testing only. Test results and information on this site are for informational purposes and are not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician or other qualified healthcare provider about your results and before making any health decision. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911. Read the full disclaimer.

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