False Positives on Drug Tests, page 149
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: Restoril
Date: 9/14/2011
I am in a methadone program and have been for about 5 years. About a month ago, I took a valium. I had a urine test and I showed positive for benzos. I have only taken my prescribed medications since, which are prozac and wellbutrin, (which I have taken since before I was on the program) and I am still showing positive for Benzos, for 4 weeks straight. I told my case worker that it was impossible that it was still showing positive, because I had only taken one valium and it was a month prior so, I asked her to send my urine off to be further tested. She did so and I was shocked when she told me I have restoril in my urine. I know I have never taken restoril and don’t even know what it is?
The only meds I have taken since the valium are my prescribed meds which are prozac and wellbutrin. I looked up restoril and it is a capsule medication and it’s a sleep aid? I know for a fact that I have not taken this medication. It even says “for sleep” on the capsule. I took another rapid drug test this morning and I am still showing positive for benzos. She is mailing my sample off again, to see what is in my urine, and I will know by Friday. If it is restoril, I am going to be dropped from the program. Have you ever heard of this? I feel helpless here. They just look at me like they know I took this medication and I have never heard of it. Thank You for any information you may have.
Carole
AskDocWeb: Sorry Carole, there is no mention in the current literature about anything causing a false positive for Restoril.
Subj: Can these produce a positive for meth?
Date: 9/14/2011
Can a combination of prescribed drugs” Fiorinal #3 (with codeine), xanax, Perocet 5, Paxil, and Soma, and Sudifed (over the counter), produce a positive for meth result in a urine test by the probation office?
Laura
AskDocWeb: The only one on your list that might cause that is the Sudafed. However, if you get a confirmation test (GCMS) that can be eliminated as a false positive.
Subj: Positive for Cocaine
Date: 9/14/2011
Recently I tested positived for Cocaine. I work for a public school. I have never did cocaine. No drugs in the last 30 years, was only experimental when I did. Never a user. It was a urine test. I take avapro, celebrax, and gabapentin on a daily bases. I also take Tyenol Sinus, a over the counter nasal spray, and my asthma inhaler (proair). I recent have been on prednisone and seffuroxime (Generic for Seftin. Please help me. Been here 13 years do not want to lose what I got.
Janice
AskDocWeb: The urine test is only an indicator of “possible” drug abuse, it is not proof. For that a confirmation test is required, which is designed to eliminate false positives. None of what you list has been reported to cause a false positive for cocaine but your test result could still be a false one so get the confirmation test. Even if you have to pay for the confirmation test out of your own pocket, it is worth it to keep your job.
Subj: Will I get fired?
Date: 9/14/2011
I’m being treated for ADHD under doctors perscription am I going to be legal to pass a drug test if tested, is a mild stimulant ok or will I get fired?
Bil
AskDocWeb: It would probably be a good idea to keep a copy of the prescription in case any problems show up but you should be okay. Even if you don’t have a copy of that prescription, you can usually get one from the pharmacist. Having a copy will give you a little peace of mind and may save you some time and effort later.
Subj: Topamax
Date: 9/16/2011
I am just curious what does topamax even show up as on a urine test?
Lisa
AskDocWeb: Unless they are specifically testing for it, Topamax will not show up on a urine test. We recommend that anyone who is subject to drug testing be able to provide evidence that the medication they are taking is legitimately prescribed by a doctor and has been obtained through appropriate channels.
Subj: Concerned about the risk of a false positive
Date: 9/16/2011
I am highly allergic to poison ivy and have recently had two steroid shots, taken prednisone for a week and also a steroid pack methylprednisolone, I also take acyclovir, omeprazole, and loratadine daily, am at risk for a false positive for any of these? I have just accepted a new job and have to take a test Monday. I do not use illegal drugs but I am concerned about the prescriptions and over the counter meds being an issue.
Jay
AskDocWeb: It is a good thing that you asked Jay. Depending on which test they use, Loratadine may show up as a false positive for morphine, meth, or ecstasy. Omeprazole has shown up as THC (marijuana) on urine drug screens. Remember to tell them what prescription drugs you are taking before testing. As long as you are prepared to prove that you have legitimate prescriptions for your meds you should be okay.
Note: Loratadine is also sold under the brand names Claritin, Alavert, Claritin Reditab, Claritin Hives Relief, Clear-Atadine, Clear-Atadine Children’s, Loratadine Reditab, Dimetapp, Ohm Allergy Relief, Tavist ND, Wal-itin, and Dimetapp ND.
Subj: Can paxil show a false positive result for tomazepam?
Date: 9/17/2011
My question is can paxil show a false positive result on a drug screening for tomazepam? I recently was randomly drug tested at my job. I, at the time of the screening, was on several medications. Hydrocodone, and oxycodone, flexril, methamazole, propanlol, and ativan. 3 weeks after the screening, my job terminated me due to a positive result for tomazepam that of which I was not prescribed. The problem is that I NEVER TOOK tomazepam either. I have been trying to find scientific proof that this may be a possibility. My PCP has heard of zoloft doing this as well as other drugs. Therefore, we are wondering if it is possible. Look forward to hearing back.
Marrisa
AskDocWeb: We are reasonably certain that Paxil will not show up on a urine test for drugs of abuse. It is not in any of the chemical categories measured by the drug tests. However, there is a possibility that your test result may have been caused by ativan because it contains benzodiazepines. Was the test result confirmed by GC/MS testing?
Subj: Positive for benzos
Date: 9/19/2011
I’m in a methadone clinic and have been clean for three months but recently was positive for benzos. I have only been taking dramamine at the time of the test which was these new oral swabs they just started usuin because they said the old ones they couldn’t test for kolonopin. It makes no sense to me how can i prove the lab messed up and used dirty equipment or was negligent in some way or was it the dramamine, but i do take benedryl once in a while but had around the time of the test the same for alka seltzer plus. Please help me I’m afraid this will happen again at this point im just going to pay to have a blood test done every time they swab me. I dont know how to prove I’m innocent.
Jennifer
AskDocWeb: Hi Jennifer. If you can get the name of that new test then we could do some research on it and perhaps start a forum just for swab testing. This forum is limited to urine testing. However, if you test result was a false positive then a GC-MS confirmation test would show that. Let us know if you find out the name of that test.
Subj: Positive for methadone and PCP
Date: 9/19/2011
I take klonopin 0.5mg qhs, lexapro, vistrail prn and tramadol prn, as a nurse I get drug tested often, I took a test and it tested positive for methadone and pcp, I have NEVER taken such medications. I asked for a repeat drug test then they said pcp wasn’t positive but I had a “slight positive” for methadone. I currently was treated for pylenonephritis and a STD, (gc) thanks to unprotected sex with my husband. Can any if the following sx or meds I took, plus the zithromax 1g and doxy can cause false positive? I’m willing to do a blood draw and have my ua sent out. I’m so confused!!! I can’t lose my job!! If I took pcp/meth I would of been smarted enough to detox it out if my system bcuz I knew I was voluntary being tested!!
Chandra
AskDocWeb: If by “doxy” you meant Doxylamine, the sedating antihistamine, it has been reported to sometimes show up on urine tests as a false positive for PCP. That aside, your idea of sending the UA out is probably the only way to clear this up. Any false positives should be eliminated by the confirmation test.
Subj: Correlation between saccharin and oxycodone?
Date: 9/20/2011
I suffer from chronic back pain so every month I have to go to the doctor’s office, take a urine test and then get a new script from doctor. My last urine test came up positive for a detox drug. I have never ever had a detox drug and didn’t even know the names of any until I looked online. So I will test positive for oxycodone, but what would show a detox drug? Is it possible that something in my diet altered the oxycodone reading? The only thing I can think of that has changed in my diet recently is the use of saccharin. I started drinking iced tea this summer and use the product sweet’n’low. About 4 or 5 packets a day. Please let me know if there is any possible correlation between the saccharin and oxycodone. Thanks.
Mel
AskDocWeb: The only correlation between saccharin and oxycodone we could find involved adding saccharin to the urine sample in an effort to try to beat the urine tests. Of course that doesn’t work. The list of detox drugs is a short one:
- Anxiety medications such as Clonazepam (found in Klonopin, Valium, and Xanax)
- Buprenophex
- Methadone
- Suboxone (mixture of buprenorphine and naloxone)
Do you know which detox drug is showing up in your test result?
Subj: Showing positive for something that started with a T
Date: 9/20/2011
I don’t do anything but take my subs I don’t even drink. Last week when taking the test she sounded suspicious and asked if I took any anti depressants. I said no because I don’t and that was that. Anyways this week same thing new nurse she took the test and then was asking the doctor what to do because it was showing positive for something that started with a T but had to do with anti depressants.
I’m mad because they flagged me whatever that means and I’m guessing next month the same thing is going to show up but I dont know what it is. If I don’t take any other meds than subs then what could it be? I drink alot of coffee and I had an energy drink before I went. I just get mad when I’m clean but they think I’m hiding something. Why would I want to hide anti depressants or even take them in the first place? Please help.
Don
AskDocWeb: The “T” likely refers to Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA). Here is the list of drugs that have shown up as tricyclic antidepressants: Amitriptyline, Benadryl, Carbamazepine, Chlorpromazine, Cyclobenzaprine, Cyproheptadine, Diphenhydramine, Doxepin, Elavil, Gamanil, Lentizol, Lofepramine, Lomont, Norcyclobenzaprine, Perphenazine, Sinequan, Thioridazine, Trimeprazine, Triptafen, Tryptizol, and Xepin.
It may help to be prepared to tell them that you believe the results are a false positive and you want the results confirmed by GC/MS to clear up any doubt. Good luck on your next test.
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