Which tube is most commonly used for drug testing?

The gold or tiger top tube is commonly used for drug testing due to its composition and the way it facilitates the testing process. This type of tube contains a gel barrier that allows for serum separation, which is essential for many drug tests. When the blood sample is centrifuged, the gel forms a barrier that helps in isolating the serum from the cells, making it easier to analyze specific substances, including drugs.

Additionally, the additives in this type of tube typically include a clot activator, which accelerates the coagulation process, resulting in a quicker separation of serum from the blood cells. This is particularly important in drug testing scenarios where timely results are desirable.

The choice of this tube aligns with the need for stability of the analytes being tested, as well as standard laboratory procedures for drug screening. Other tubes, such as the red top, green top, or lavender top tubes, serve different purposes, primarily concerning other tests like chemistry profiles, anticoagulation tests, or hematology studies, which do not align with the requirements of routine drug testing.