Feedback on False Positives from Drug Testing, page 17

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: False positive?
Date: 7/9/2007
I was tested for a pre-employment hair screening, and my test came back positive. I never used a drug a day in my life not even Tabasco. The day before I was tested I was drinking liquor, nothing heavy, just 2 wine coolers, and a shot of vodkac. Does liquor have tonic in it? Is that a reason for my test to be false positive?

Tia

AskDocWeb: No, sorry, it is probably something else. If there is any doubt about test results you should insist on getting a GC/MS confirmation test to prove your innocence. This test is much more expensive but is also virtually error free.

Subj: False positive for cocaine?
Date: 7/10/2007
Hello, can SIMVASTATIN, ALTACE, ZETIA OR ATENOLOL cause a false positive for cocaine? Thank you

Natasha

AskDocWeb: No.

Subj: Failed hair test
Date: 7/10/2007
I just failed my hair test. I don’t do drug and I don’t see how I failed. I know Ibuprofen and Riboflavin (vitamin B2) can make you fail. How can I get them to listen to me? I can deal with the court system anymore.

Keykey

AskDocWeb: It would be easier to get an expert (a toxicologist) to speak for you than to get them to listen to you. See the post “Who’s who in this field?” on 3/14/2007.

Subj: Ambien
Date: 7/12/2007
Can ambien cause a false positive on a drug screen and if so where can I find printable information on this subject?

Amy

AskDocWeb: Ambien is not on the list.

Subj: What could cause a false positive?
Date: 7/12/2007
I tested positive for benzodiazepines in a 10 category urinalysis. What could cause a false positive for whatever these are since I don’t know what it is I’m failing for? I only take vitamins.

Katrina

AskDocWeb: You will need to get a copy of the test results in order to find out.

Subj: Tested positive for PCP, and Meth
Date: 7/12/2007
I was tested positive for PCP, and Meth. I have no clues has to what neither one is or better yet how to use them. I currently take Protonix, Plavix, 1 asprin a day and occasionally seroquel to help me sleep. I need help understanding how this could be?

Bernard

AskDocWeb: None of these are on the list for causing a false positive, sorry.

Subj: Tested positive for amphetamines
Date: 7/12/2007
I’m in a drug rehab program and tested positive for amphetamines, I used Vicks sinX nasal spray and I use the inhaler cuse I ran out of my nasal spray prescribed by my doctor. I told them what had happened and they still trying to pend me for a positive. With me using these products what kinna level would it give me? And can I use your list of false readings to prove myself to them…thanks KC

Kendall

AskDocWeb: They won’t accept our list because it is compiled from many different sources. Vicks nasal spray has been reported to sometimes cause a false positive.

Subj: Type 2 diabetic
Date: 7/13/2007
I am a type 2 diabetic with cirhosis of the liver. What can I do to avoid a false positive on a drug test?

Brian

AskDocWeb: About the only thing you can do is to tell the people who conduct the test about your condition.

Subj: Positive for THC
Date: 7/14/2007
I was out of town sitting at Shake a shake. Officers said they had a report that I may have been drinking. I don’t drink. I agreed to a drug test the test showed positive for THC. This I don’t do either. I had just had surgery two weeks prior and was taking pain medicine and antibiotics. Would these show positive for THC? This as been an awful injustice. The Judge would not listen and he suspended my driving privileges.

Debbe

AskDocWeb: Some pain medications and antibiotics have show up as false positives. It may seem like that judge was a jerk but testing is the only way we have to separate the people that abuse drugs from the ones that don’t. Unfortunately the tests aren’t 100% accurate.

Subj: GC/MS test
Date: 7/14/2007
I had a urine test done at a forensic lab they did a gc/ms test said I tested positive for THC. I am on other medicine from my doctor, lamisil, halobetasol, hydrocodone, diclofenac sodium, cyclobenzaprine, levothyroxine, can any of these make the test show positive for THC?

Deb

AskDocWeb: We have not heard of a GC/MS test showing false positives for those drugs.

Subj: Vicodin
Date: 7/14/2007
One of my drivers tested positive for cocaine while on vicodin for an injury. He claims the pharmacist says vicodin can cause a false positive. Can vicodin cause a false positive for cocaine in a urine test?

Erick

AskDocWeb: Since Vicodin is a narcotic, it is not really a false positive. A GC/MS confirmation test should be done to specify which drug is in his system.

Subj: Tested positive for Cocaine
Date: 7/14/2007
I recently was admitted to ED at local hospital for an accidental overdose of migraine meds (flexeril, propranolol, hydrocodone, and lastly phenegran – 2 suppositories). Also I had taken Sudfed earlier in the day thinking it was a sinus headache. I believe the phenegran (which I had never used before) knocked me totally out with the use of the other meds over 5 hour period. I tested positive for Cocaine (which I have never, never used in my life) on two urine dip stick tests within an hour of each other. The hospital’s lab said nothing in the meds I took would test false positive for cocaine – but something must have. Any thoughts on a false positive from combination of these drugs. Other than cocaine, everything else fell right where it should on the 6 panel test. I’m worried sick having a positive cocaine test on my “records.”

Margie

AskDocWeb: Propranolol and Sudafed have been reported to cause some problems. We would insist on a GC/MS confirmation test to clear things up.

Subj: Morphine
Date: 7/15/2007
Can morphine given during chemotherapy cause a false positive for morphine in tests done about 5 years later.

Bobbi

AskDocWeb: If they used a hair test your hair would have to be a yard long in order for it to show up. If they used a urine test it wouldn’t show up five years after use. If it does show up it’s not a false positive but a true positive for morphine.

Subj: Tested positive for THC
Date: 7/16/2007
I recently tested positive for THC but I use no drugs please help.

Dennis

AskDocWeb: You had to have used something for this to happen. Did you take any over the counter drugs or cold medications?

Subj: Hepatitis C?
Date: 7/16/2007
Can hepatitis C cause you to have a false positive test?

Lisa

AskDocWeb: No.

Subj: What can cause false positive results?
Date: 7/18/2007
My husband tested positive for benzos. He does not take any thing. What can cause false positive results? He does take advair and albuteral.

Sue

AskDocWeb: Advair and albuterol have not been reported to cause a false positive drug test.

Subj: Trazodone?
Date: 7/19/2007
I recently got a D.U.I. and am in counseling treatment, where I attend three meetings per week. They give me random drug screens, and so far all of them have tested positive for Benzodiazepines. I am currently taking Prozac and Trazodone Hydrochloride. I am not taking and Benzodiazepines. However, I use to take xanax and Valium over the past few years, on and off. I have not taken and in at least two months or longer. Do you think the Trazodone could be the reason I keep testing positive? I would really appreciate your help. I could face jail time if this isn’t figured out.

Ashley

AskDocWeb: It may be, Trazodone is on our list.

Subj: Urine analysis
Date: 7/19/2007
My sister is on probation and must take drug test (urine analysis) weekly until her levels reach zero. Last week she was at 80 and then it went down to 60 now going back today they tell her it has jumped back up to 90 and she HAS NOT SMOKED POT. How would this do this? What would increase the level?

Mandy

AskDocWeb: Do you know of anything she is taking? Some over the counter medications could do it.

Subj: Certified pharmacy technician
Date: 7/19/2007
The pharmacy I work for was given a random drug test after about 10 years, I had a rx for phentermine but the gc/ms stated something showed up that would not come from phentermine. I had taken an adderall about 2 weeks prior but had no idea it would show up, well it did and as of now I’m out of work and have been given the opportunity to try to explain to the medical review office and have no idea how. Is there any need to even ask for another test, or am I finished? I am a certified pharmacy technician who made 1 mistake, could you give me any advice, what else could have caused the gc/ms to detect that?

Gwen

AskDocWeb: You might benefit from having a talk with a forensic toxicologist before responding to the medical review office.

Subj: Adderall
Date: 7/19/2007
I take adderall and I am in the military and at test cam back positive for cocaine, it that possible?

Jason

AskDocWeb: Others have reported the same experience with Adderall, although it is an amphetamine. Thank you for your service to our country Jason.

Subj: Drug test for opiates
Date: 7/19/2007
I failed a drug test for opiates with a 450 level. I took a cough medicine with dextromethorphan in it. Could you tell me how much of the medication had to be consumed to read those results? Or could it have been something different?

Andrew

AskDocWeb: Without knowing which cough syrup you are referring to, there is no way to look it up.

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