Questions about False Positives in Drug Testing, page 288

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 this forum is not for medical or legal advice. For that you need to consult with a Doctor or an Attorney.

Nervous about drug test
Date: 5/5/2006
Hello, I tested positive for Methadone in my home drug test kit. I have never used MTD in my life and am not under any prescription. I drank 2 shots of Fireball and one shot of tequila last night but I highly doubt that alcohol can cause this. I have a drug test in two days and am pretty nervous now!

Jack

AskDocWeb: Cinnamon flavored whisky (Fireball), tequila or any other drink containing alcohol that we can think of, is not going to show up as methadone. Are you using any herbs, supplements or synthetic food or drink? You may want to review the list of substances that might show false positive on drug tests.

Could the lab be wrong?
Date: 5/5/2006
I recently took a probation urine test and came up positive for opiate. The PO sent the UA to the lab and it came back positive for morphine. I have not used morphine. I am however taking Pantoprazole SOD DR, one daily, Prochlorperazine, Sertraline HCL, one daily, Lidocaine/Maalox, and was sick a few days before the test so I also used NyQuil cold and flu. Could any of these caused the test to show for morphine? Is it possible the lab could have been wrong? Please Help.

Lowell

AskDocWeb: Yes, although it is rare, it is possible that the lab could be wrong, especially if the lab wasn’t certified by SAMHSA. For a list of SAMHSA certified laboratories see page 185.

It is also possible that you ate something with poppy seeds in it. The popular TV show MythBusters did a show on testing whether poppy seeds could cause a false positive on an over-the-counter drug test. Two people were tested for opiates before the experiment began. Both tested negative on the initial test. One person then ate 3 poppy seed bagels and the other ate a poppy seed cake. Both tested positive for opiates within 30 minutes of ingesting the seeds and continued to test positive for 16 hours afterword.

Guarana extract?
Date: 5/6/2006
I took one dose (two pills) of Metabolife Ultra and it dawned on me that I have a drug test in 3 days. I have been Googling my life away, some say that guarana extract will cause a false positive and some say otherwise. Will I fail my test? What will cause that to happen from Metabolife?

Catherine

AskDocWeb: If your drug test is a standard urine test that looks for drugs of abuse then the guarana is not likely to show up. Guarana extract is not on the watch list.

False positive for opiates?
Date: 5/6/2006
i go to a suboxone clinic i have not tested dirty in three years,out of the blur i had a dirty urin for opiates(morphine).i have not taken any of this.i am on maxalt for migrains(prn)lisinopril,amlodipine besylate.ive also taken aleve,ib bufrin.i also use lidocaine pacth.can any of these or the combination cause a false possitive for opiates or morphine? Thank you for your site.

Ruth

AskDocWeb: You are welcome Ruth. None of what you list is known to cause a false positive for morphine. However, there is another possibility. As mentioned earlier poppy seeds contain morphine that can show up on a urine test. In order to tell the difference between drug abuse and dietary sources of morphine additional testing is required by more accurate means. That is usually done with a GC/MS confirmation test at an independent laboratory. Does the clinic allow sending the sample out to a lab for confirmation?

Preliminarily test positive for THC
Date: 5/7/2006
I passed a drug screen for marijuana last week and was called for a random 8 days later and have preliminarily tested positive for THC. I’m currently taking Ripped Fuel 5x plus a Multi herb Digestion & Detox Support supplement (Natures Path). The ingredients list is as follows: Alafia Powder, Fenugreek, Dandelion, Fennel, Yarrow, Eleuthero, green tea, Hawthron, Horsetail, Licorice, Marshmallow root, Peppermint, Red clover, Red Rasberry, Safflower oil powder, Scullcap, Burdock, Chickweed, Mullein, Papaya powder, Black cohosh, clubmoss, ginger, ginkgo, Irish Moss, Kelp, Plantain leaf, Slippery Elm, Yellow dock root, Milk Thistle, Cayenne Powder, Echinacea, Acacia gum. I don’t even smoke!

Barry

AskDocWeb: None of your herbs show up on urine drug tests for drugs of abuse. However it is not uncommon for over-the-counter pain meds to show positive for THC. Whenever a urine test shows positive getting a confirmation test is recommended.

Grandma has false positive for THC
Date: 5/8/2006
I’m 56 and supplement my disability income by participating in pharmaceutical testing. They do UA’s for drugs at the beginning and middle of studies. I was in the middle of a study and my UA showed up positive for THC. I was shocked and embarrassed-they kicked me out of the study and said I could never participate again.

For the last two days I’ve been researching and obsessing about what could have caused a false positive. I not only don’t use pot, I never have. I don’t even drink. I’m on a gluten and dairy free diet for reducing inflammation in my body (have Hashimoto’s) and I take many supplements, including B2-but I called the company and was told it was synthetic, not made with hempseed. I’ve been taking “Metalloclear”, a supplement that clears metal from the body-ing. are: andrographis piniculata, zinc, turmeric and hops.

I am so stumped and upset! I’m known for being a “teetotaler” and I just like to stay away from that whole scene. I live in a highrise apartment where I do smell pot being smoked in the hallways sometimes, but that’s it. I keep my windows open all year around to clean the air in my apartment. The only meds I take are synthroid and cytomel for my thyroid. I don’t even take aspirin or NSAIDs because I use essential oils and grapeseed extract for illnesses.

Please help if you can-I’m going to my doctor today for a UA if she’ll do it for me, but one thing I’ve noticed is that whoever I tell this to either thinks its funny or that I’m just lying-that’s what users do, right? I’m afraid to do anything now that will require a drug screen, which is almost anything! Thanks…

Sad Grandma

AskDocWeb: Unfortunately the only way to tell if your urine test was a false positive is to get additional testing on the original sample. If they are doing a study then they are probably not required to confirm the results however, did you ask if they confirm the results? You may want to review the big list to see if you are using anything that might explain your results. Also you may also want to try one of the home drug testing kits to experiment on your own.

Strattera or Dulera inhaler?
Date: 5/8/2006
My son has been taking Strattera and using a Dulera inhaler. Can this combination cause a false positive test for amphetamines?

Kaye

AskDocWeb: While some inhalers have shown up as a false positive for amphetamines the Dulera inhaler is not one of them. Strattera (Atomoxetine HCl) or its combination with other drugs, is not known to cause any problems with urine drug testing for drugs of abuse.

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