False Positives Forum

This forum is intended to help those who Do NOT Abuse Drugs. We do NOT support the illegal use of any substance. If you have experience with false positives, share your experience. What would you tell someone about drug testing and false positives? Please remember that we do not give medical or legal advice.

Subj: This is bad
Date: 12/29/2009
this is bad I just failed a drug test at the loveladys in birmingham alabama due to meds I'm on cipro being one of them in 2005 I was sent to prison for the same failed drug test same meds just how many woman have they sent to prison on this just because no one wants to listen thank god I am self this time
Leelee

Subj: Positive for methadone
Date: 12/29/2009
Dear sir or madam, My father has shown positive twice now for methadone and has never touched the stuff (he is 87 years old) what would make him test positive?
Colette

AskDocWeb: You might look for something that he is taking that contains synthetic opiates or dextromethorphan. For example, Vicks Nyquil Cold/Flu Relief contains dextromethorphan and has been reported to cause false positives for Methadone for up to 2 days after taking it.

Subj: Hair follicle test
Date: 12/30/2009
my wife just had a hair follicle test and came back positive for cocaine. However there are no metabolites of cocaine in the results. can you explain why? No metabolites, no benzoylecgonine, no cocaethylene.
Joe

AskDocWeb: Sorry Joe, we don't know enough about hair follicle tests to help you. Our focus here is on urine drug testing.

Subj: False positive for cocaine?
Date: 1/3/2010
questions about medications causing false positive for cocaine #1 hydrocodone 500mg, #2amoxicillin500mg, #3metronidazole500mg, #4taclonex ointment theses causing false positives on a random drug testing I need ansers thanks.
Taylor

AskDocWeb: There are several sources that report amoxicillin showing up as a false positive for cocaine (References 13, 16, 18, 20, 21, 26, and 29). Hydrocodone Bitartrate contains synthetic opiates so that would seem to be a possibility but we have no direct reference for it. The other two have not been reported to cause any problems on drug tests.

Subj: Nitrazepam?
Date: 1/5/2010
I've recently had a positive test for temazepam, could this be cause by a sleepin pill I've had called nitrazepam? Thanks.
Sol

AskDocWeb: Both drugs are benzodiazepines but we were unable to find a reference that would say that one might show up as the other on a urine drug test. Nitrazepam is marketed in English-speaking countries under the brand names of Alodorm, Arem, Insoma, Mogadon, Nitrados, Nitrazadon, Ormodon, Paxadorm, Remnos and Somnite. It may produced positive results for benzodiazepines (benzos). Nitrazepam is marketed in English-speaking countries under the brand names of Alodorm, Arem, Insoma, Mogadon, Nitrados, Nitrazadon, Ormodon, Paxadorm, Remnos and Somnite.

Subj: Showing up dirty
Date: 1/8/2010
Have a problem with showing up dirty when I know I am clean,
John

AskDocWeb: If you are clean then there is a good chance that your test results are false positives. Hopefully this list will help you find the cause of your test results.

Subj: Taking benzonatate?
Date: 1/11/2010
will I test positive for benzos because I'm taking benzonatate? URGENT
Dana

AskDocWeb: Benzonatate is non-narcotic and is chemically related to other local anesthetics such as procaine and tetracaine. Benzonatate is not related to codeine, dextromethorphan, or other opioids that are frequently used to suppress coughs. It has not been reported to cause any problems with drug tests.

Subj: Lorazapam (Ativan) and Xanax
Date: 1/12/2010
I havent taken Lorazapam(ativan) for 6 months is there any reason I would test postive for it on a urine test...? I am now on xanax.
Michelle

AskDocWeb: Both Ativan and Xanax® contain benzodiazepines (Ref: 18)

Subj: False positive for amphetamines
Date: 1/15/2010
I was referred to your site by HHMI in reply to a question I had on a false positive drug result for amphetamines. I am deathly allergic to everything and do not as much take an aspirin. I had a job screen done with an overthecounter drug kit. I am 63 yrs old, healthy female, now I am concerned if there is a medical condition that could produce these results? Please advise.
Linda

AskDocWeb: Research has shown three medical conditions that have produced false positives for amphetamines on standard urine drug tests; diabetes, kidney infection, and liver disease (References 3, 15, 16, 20, and 21). These false positive results can be correctly identified by the use of a GC/MS confirmation test.

Subj: Campral
Date: 1/16/2010
What are the possible false positives on a urine drug screening CAMPRAL could cause? Also would it cause EtG (LIVER) to be positive? (two questions above.)
Terry

AskDocWeb: Campral has not been reported to show up on standard urine drug tests. It appears that your second question is one that the medical community has yet to address. We were unable to find any studies that have been published on the effect of medications on EtG levels (ethyl glucoronide). Campral (Acamprosate) is one of the drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of alcohol abuse and addiction.

Subj: Penicillin?
Date: 1/17/2010
I was tested for drugs while on penicillin, my test came back positive for cocaine. Can taking penicillin cause a false positive for cocaine?
Justine

AskDocWeb: Several other antibiotics have shown up on urine drug tests but so far penicillin has not.

Subj: Tested positive for Amphetamines
Date: 1/17/2010
I am taking albuteral, Advair (highest dose), and medical marijuana to counter act the side effects of the previous meds. I took an oral drug test and tested positive for Amphetamines(?) which I don't take. Any ideas? I am waiting on another drug test to clear this up. But it has me worried...
Shelley

AskDocWeb: You might check the ingredients in your inhaler. Other nasal sprays (Vicks inhaler, Afrin) have been reported to show up as false positives for Amphetamines (Ref: 2, 10, 16, 21). The confirmation test should clear up any false positives.

Subj: False positive for valium?
Date: 1/18/2010
What would make ua's show a false positive for valium. Our daughter has been told she is taking valium when she is not!!!! Could it be from her antidepressent?
CH

AskDocWeb: That may depend on which antidepressant she is taking. You can check to see if it is on this list. Although there is a rumor that Valium is made from valerian root and the root can cause a false positive, that is only partly correct. Valium is just a brand name of the generic drug Diazepam. However, valerian root and its extract have shown up as false positives for benzodiazepines (Reference 36).

Subj: False positive?
Date: 1/19/2010
HELP!! I take lorazipam, metformin, flexeril, lisinopril, simvastatin, allopurinol, isometh/apap dichlorcap interpharm, asprin, ranitidine and tramadol. I went to the Dr and had a drug test and it came up presumptive pos for methamphetamine, could any of these come up false positive? Thank you for your time.
Kevin

AskDocWeb: The only drug on your list that has been reported to show up on a urine drug test is the Ranitidine but that was for a false positive for amphetamines (Reference 32).

Subj: Failed a UA
Date: 1/20/2010
Hi, I'm Kevin (last name edited out for privacy) and I get random uas and have passed all of them except the one I had tonight on Monday I went to the clinic because I got an infection on my leg so they gave me a striction witch is sulfamethoxazole for the infection and tramadol for the pain I am scared right now because when I took my ua it came up positive for bonzi witch they said it was an anxiety pill but I havent been taking any other medication can anybody help me and explain to me why I failed a ua?
Kevin

Subj: False positive for marijuana?
Date: 1/22/2010
Can promethazine 25mg, amolodipine 5mg, norco 10mg, mesalamine 400mg, or cipro 500mg effect a drug test? A false positive for marijuana?
Angelica

AskDocWeb: Of the drugs you list, only promethazine has been reported to show up as a false positive for marijuana (THC) (References 3, 16, and 18).

Subj: Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds
Date: 1/22/2010
Well Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds show up in a drug test
Matt

Subj: False reading for cocaine?
Date: 1/23/2010
Can you give me a listing of prescription pain killers, and over the counter drugs that could cause a false reading for cocaine. I was recently seen in an urgent care facility after being attacked at knife point. My lip was cut and I went to urgent care. I was given medication and several stitches. Your urgent response would be greatly appreciated. My PO thinks I'm using drugs and I'm not.
Barbara

AskDocWeb: You can check the medications you were given in urgent care and any over-the-counter drugs you might be taking against this list. It has everything that we have been able to document as showing up as a false positive on urine drug tests. It may be helpful to remember that just because you say you are taking one of those listed drugs, that is not likely to convince a PO. The only way to do that (that we know of) is to get a GC/MS confirmation test.

Subj: Came up dirty for THC
Date: 1/27/2010
Hey I really need the help with figuring out if phenergan and macrobid or flagyl can cause a false positive for THC on a urine test? My friend is havin to take a urine test 3 times a week and she took one and it came back clean and then she went to take the second U.A. for the court and it came up dirty for THC. she doesnt smoke any kind of drugs and we just need advice on how to show to the courts that she is not doing any drugs whatsoever. I would greatly aprreciate it if you could help us out.
Kayla

AskDocWeb: The only way we know to clear up a false positive urine drug test is to get a GC/MS confirmation test on the same sample that was originally tested. That means it has to be sent out to an independent lab.

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