What is 6-MAM?
What is 6-MAM?
6-MAM refers to 6-Monoacetylmorphine. When someone uses heroin, the drug is converted into the active metabolite 6-MAM and the less active 3-MAM. A test that is positive for 6-MAM can only mean that the person has used heroin.
Does no 6-MAM mean no heroin use?
Shortly after heroin use, 6-MAM is either metabolized into morphine or excreted from the body. If a person has not used heroin very recently, they may not be positive for 6-MAM because of its short half-life.
After the 6-MAM is metabolized, the person would only be positive for morphine.
How long can 6-MAM be detected?
6-MAM can usually be found in oral fluid for several hours after heroin use. Morphine, which is also produced from heroin use, can be detected for a longer period.
Chronic heroin use can also increase the window of detection.