What Is AMP on a Drug Test? AMP vs MET (mAMP) Explained

What is AMP on a drug test? AMP is the abbreviation for amphetamine. The AMP panel screens urine for amphetamine and closely related stimulants, including the amphetamine in prescription ADHD medications such as Adderall and Vyvanse. Rapid tests usually print it as AMP/1000 or AMP/500, the screening cutoff in ng/mL.

AMP is easy to confuse with MET or mAMP, the methamphetamine panel, which often sits right next to it on the same cup. The two panels overlap but are not the same test. This guide explains what each one detects, why methamphetamine can trigger both, what can cause a false positive and how to read and confirm the result.

What Is AMP On A Drug Test?

AMP stands for amphetamine. It is one of the most common panels on drug test cups and is included in nearly every configuration from 5 panels up.

The full drug test abbreviations chart lists every other code you may see.

AMP vs MET (mAMP): What Is the Difference?

AMP targets amphetamine. MET, also written mAMP or MAMP, targets methamphetamine. The overlap comes from metabolism: the body converts part of a methamphetamine dose into amphetamine. That means:

• Prescription amphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse) usually triggers AMP but not MET.
• Methamphetamine usually triggers MET and can also trigger AMP, because of the amphetamine it produces.
• MDMA has its own panel, but some methamphetamine and amphetamine immunoassays also cross-react with it. The package insert lists these cross-reactions.

Programs that need to tell prescribed stimulants apart from methamphetamine use cups with both AMP and MET, then rely on laboratory confirmation. For background on the drug itself, see the National Institute on Drug Abuse methamphetamine page.

What Does AMP/1000 vs AMP/500 Mean?

The number is the cutoff concentration in ng/mL. The federal initial cutoff for amphetamine and methamphetamine is 500 ng/mL under 49 CFR §40.85. Many rapid tests still use 1,000 ng/mL, the older federal level.

• AMP/500 reacts to lower concentrations and is common on newer CLIA-waived cups.
• AMP/1000 is the most widely sold rapid cutoff and is used in many non-DOT programs.

A cutoff does not measure impairment or dose. Our drug test cutoff levels guide explains how cutoffs are set.

AMP and MET Cutoffs on Our Drug Tests

The same panel can be set at different cutoffs depending on the product. If your program needs results that match the federal screening level, choose a test with AMP/500 and MET/500. If you are matching an existing program that uses the older level, choose AMP/1000 and MET/1000.

Intended use matters as much as the cutoff. A CLIA-waived cup can be used in waived clinical settings, while a Forensic Use Only cup is meant for non-clinical programs such as employment, courts and corrections. Cutoffs above are taken from each product’s drug list. Always check the insert that ships with your lot.

Will Adderall Show Up as AMP?

Usually, yes. Adderall contains amphetamine salts, and Vyvanse is converted to amphetamine in the body, so both are expected to produce a non-negative AMP result when urine concentrations are above the cutoff. A valid prescription is a legitimate explanation, which is why every non-negative screen needs confirmation and review. Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is chemically different and is not expected to trigger AMP. It needs a separate test such as Ritalin (MPD) drug test strips.

ADHD Medications and Which Panel Detects Them

Stimulant prescriptions are the most common legitimate reason for a non-negative AMP result. This table shows which panel each common ADHD medication is expected to affect:

A prescription does not change how the screen reads. It changes how the result is interpreted after laboratory confirmation and review.

What Can Cause a False Positive AMP or MET Result?

Amphetamine immunoassays are less specific than panels like COC. Substances reported to cross-react with some AMP or MET tests include:

• Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine
• Phentermine, a weight-loss medication
• Selegiline, which is metabolized to methamphetamine compounds
• Some antidepressants and other prescription drugs, depending on the device

Cross-reactivity differs between manufacturers. Check the insert for your exact device, and never treat a rapid AMP or MET result as final.

How Long Do Amphetamines Stay in Urine?

Amphetamine and methamphetamine are typically detectable in urine for a few days after use, and longer with heavy or daily use. Dose, frequency, urine pH, hydration and the cutoff all change the window. The ARUP Consult detection windows table lists published estimates, which should be treated as ranges, not guarantees.

Which Tests Include AMP and MET?

Urine vs Oral Fluid Testing for Amphetamines

Urine cups are the standard for amphetamine screening because they detect use over a longer window. Oral fluid tests use much lower cutoffs, typically 50 ng/mL for AMP and MET, and mainly reflect recent use. Their advantage is collection: the swab is taken in front of the collector, which makes it difficult to substitute or dilute a sample. Programs often use urine cups for routine screening and oral fluid drug tests for observed, on-site or post-incident testing.

How to Read an AMP Result

• Negative: a control line and a test line next to AMP, even if faint.
• Non-negative (preliminary positive): a control line and no test line next to AMP.
• Invalid: no control line. Retest with a new device.

Read each panel separately. A cup can show a non-negative AMP and a negative MET, or the reverse. See our guide to reading a drug test cup.

Confirming AMP and MET Results

Non-negative AMP and MET screens are preliminary. Laboratory confirmation with GC-MS or LC-MS/MS identifies which compound is present and, where needed, can separate the forms of methamphetamine found in prescription or over-the-counter products from illicit methamphetamine. Rapid cups are not used for DOT-regulated tests.

What to Do After a Non-Negative AMP Result

1. Record the result. Note the panel, time read, device lot number and expiration date.
2. Do not act on the screen alone. A rapid result is preliminary and cannot identify the specific drug.
3. Follow your medication disclosure procedure. Prescriptions are usually reviewed by a medical review officer or clinician, not by the collector.
4. Send the sample for confirmation. GC-MS or LC-MS/MS identifies amphetamine, methamphetamine or MDMA and their concentrations.
5. Act on the confirmed result under your written program policy.

Buying AMP and MET Drug Tests in Bulk

Nearly every multi-panel cup includes AMP, and most 10-panel and larger cups add MET. Request a bulk quote with the cutoffs you need, or browse all urine drug test cups.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does AMP stand for on a drug test?

AMP stands for amphetamine. The panel screens urine for amphetamine, including the amphetamine in prescription ADHD medications.

What is the difference between AMP and MET on a drug test?

AMP screens for amphetamine and MET, also written mAMP, screens for methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is partly converted to amphetamine, so it can trigger both panels.

Will Adderall show up as AMP?

Usually yes. Adderall contains amphetamine, so it is expected to produce a non-negative AMP result above the cutoff. A valid prescription should be reviewed after laboratory confirmation.

Does Ritalin show up as AMP on a drug test?

It is not expected to. Methylphenidate is chemically different from amphetamine and needs a separate MPD test.

What is the cutoff for AMP?

Most rapid tests use 1,000 ng/mL or 500 ng/mL. The federal initial cutoff for amphetamine and methamphetamine is 500 ng/mL.

Can cold medicine cause a positive AMP test?

Some decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine, have been reported to cross-react with certain amphetamine immunoassays. Laboratory confirmation can rule this out.