How to use Fentanyl Test Strips

How to use BTNX test strips

Simple step-by-step instructions to detect fentanyl using BTNX testing strips. Massive thanks to DanceSafe USA for the original version of this guide.

Getting ready to test for fentanyl

Drugs cut with fentanyl are never mixed evenly. Your baggie could have no fentanyl in one side and a fatal dose in the other. We recommend testing everything you’re consuming by dissolving your entire dose in water.

If you consume your drugs orally, you can simply drink the water after testing. For powdered drugs, you can evaporate the water after testing by leaving the sample in a dark, dry location for a while.

Alternatively, you can test a 10mg (minimum) cross-section of what you intend to consume using the red micro spoon we included.

Beforehand, make sure you crush everything into a fine powder, then shake the sample as thoroughly as possible. This helps distribute everything more evenly, which will help the strips detect fentanyl in your sample.

 

Fentanyl measuring spoon to test your sampole

 

Once you've decided how to prepare your drugs for testing, click one of the "Diluting your sample" tabs below to continue.

Instructions for injecting users

You should test every time you inject. The easiest method is to test the residue from your spoon or cooker.

  1. After preparing your shot, set the needle aside and wait to inject.
  2. Add about 1ml (1/5th of a teaspoon) of clean water into the spoon or cooker.

Proceed to 'Testing your sample'.

Instructions for crystals and powdered drugs (including meth and MDMA)

1. Scoop some powder with the red micro spoon, and make sure the powder is level (flat all across - not a heap) - this is roughly 10mg of powder.
2. Place your drugs into a small container. If you are testing 50mg or less, you can use a plastic bottle cap. Use a small glass if you're testing more.

3. Add the right amount of water (this step is very important).
- METH AND MDMA: Add one teaspoon of water (5ml) for every 10mg of powder. 
- ALL OTHER DRUGS: Add one teaspoon of water (5ml) for every 50mg of powder.
If you don’t have a teaspoon, a plastic bottle cap holds a bit more water than a teaspoon.
4. Stir the mixture until completely dissolved.

Click on 'Testing your sample' to proceed.

Instructions for Testing Blotter LSD

1. Cut a small corner off the blotter.
2. Soak it in a teaspoon of water (5ml) for 10 minutes.

Click on 'Testing your sample' to proceed.

Instructions for pharmaceutical pills

Always test your pills first unless you have your own prescription.

1. Crush the entire tablet into a fine powder.
2. Pour the powder into a small cup.
3. Add approximately 4 tablespoons (59ml) of water.
4. Stir the mixture well. Binder material may not completely dissolve - that’s ok. 

Click on 'Testing your sample' to proceed.

Testing your sample

After you have diluted your drugs, it’s time to use the strips.

  1. Hold the blue end of the test strip and insert the other end into the liquid, no higher than the blue line shown below.
  2. Wait 15 seconds for the liquid to travel up the strip and into the test area.
  3. Set the strip down on a flat surface. The results should appear within three minutes. 

Click 'Reading your results' to proceed.

 

STEP 3 - How to Read the Result

Use a bright light. You can use the torch on your phone.

How to read BTNX Fentanyl Test Stip - two lines even faint ones is positive for fentanyl

One red line on top is a POSITIVE result. There is fentanyl in your sample.

Two red lines is a NEGATIVE result. The lower line could be significantly lighter than the upper red line. If you can see it at all, it is still negative, even if it is faint and you needed to use a light.

No red lines, or one red line on the bottom, means the test didn’t work. This usually happens because the liquid did not travel far enough up the test strip. Try using another test, and double-check the above tabs to make sure you haven’t missed anything.

What if my sample is positive for fentanyl?

You have a dangerous batch on your hands. If you use it, please go slow/use less. Make sure you have someone with you who can call 000 and use naloxone on you if you overdose.

In the event of an overdose, 000 MUST be called even if naloxone was used, because an overdose can continue after the naloxone wears off.

Australia has a FREE take-home naloxone program. Follow this link to find a local pharmacy that provides free naloxone.

Naloxone is also available at any pharmacy over-the-counter for a fee.

What if my sample is negative for fentanyl?

If you used the strips correctly, the strip should be able to detect fentanyl and most of its known analogs (including carfentanil).

A negative result does not guarantee that your drug sample is free of all synthetic opioids.

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