Feedback on False Positives from Drug Testing, page 31

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: In danger of state taking away children
Date: 1/20/2008
I have been taking Zoloft 100mg qd for about 1 year. I have repeatedly had urine drug screens that were positive for benzodiazepines when I have only been taking Zoloft. I am being accused of abusing benzo’s and am in danger of the state taking away custody of my children. According to Pfizer, the manufacturer of Zoloft this can occur. Has anyone else had this experience or can make a suggestion as to how I can handle this situation.

Yvonne

AskDocWeb: There are a few things we can suggest but you are likely going to need an attorney. You might start by getting a GC/MS confirmation test. If that proves your innocence then no further action may be required. You can ask the company that did the drug test to provide you with information on the kind of test that was done. Also ask the company for a list of all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and foods that might interfere with the results of the drug test. If the company refuses to provide such a list you can instruct your attorney to subpoena a list from them. You can also request a copy of the laboratory’s certification for drug testing and then do some investigating. What is their “false positive” rate? Has the laboratory’s certification ever been suspended or revoked? Has the company ever been cited or found to be in violation of the certification? These answers may show that the company can’t be relied on to provide accurate results.

Subj: Adderall
Date: 1/20/2008
Hi, I am currently taking prescription medication called Adderall (20mg tablets) for ADHD. And I recently test positive for COC and DAMP. Can you test positive for COC using Adderall? Also is a metabolite of cocaine for in Adderall or its generic?

Llewellyn

AskDocWeb: Adderall has not been reported to cause a false positive for cocaine.

Subj: False-positive for benzodiazapine?
Date: 1/22/2008
My 15-yo son is on the following meds for Crohn’s and various related issues. Can any of these cause a false-positive for benzodiazapine; Purinethol 50mg, Zoloft 100mg, Pepcid 20mg, Adderall 40mg? Thanks.

Trish

AskDocWeb: According to the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Zoloft has been known to show false positives for benzodiazepines.

Subj: False-positive reading for Alprazolam?
Date: 1/22/2008
I need to know any drug that will give the potential of a false-positive reading for Alprazolam. The noted medications which this client was taking are as follows: hydrocodone, Dihydrocodeine, Chlorpheniramine, Metaxalone. We have prescriptions for all but the Alprazolam. Is there any chance of any of the listed drugs that would give a false -positive reading for this Alprazolam. I appreciate your assistance. Thank you.

Di’

AskDocWeb: Alprazolam contains benzodiazepines and both hydrocodone and Dihyrocodeine contain synthetic opiates. The only way we know of to sort that out would be to get a Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) confirmation test.

Subj: Lipodrene with ephedra
Date: 1/23/2008
I’ve been using lipodrene with ephedra (EXTRACT)- is that the same as Ma Haung? Because I recently failed a UA for amphetamines and want to verify that’s what it was with my employer.

Britt

AskDocWeb: Ma-haung is a natural source of ephedrine.

Subj: Negative results?
Date: 1/24/2008
I’m ten weeks pregnant. The last time I smoked marijuana was Dec 9. I took a drug screen on the 13, and it was positive. I took one on the 27th of Dec. and that one was negative. But the last 3 I have taken have come back negative and I honestly have not smoked any marijuana since Dec. 9. What could be causing these test to come back negative?

Jackie

AskDocWeb: Typically the drug testing results come back negative when a substance is not found in the test. Things may seem a little strange when you are involved in drug screening. A negative result means good (no drug abuse) and a positive result is bad for you. That means they found evidence of drug abuse.

Subj: Efexor
Date: 1/24/2008
I have been taking Efexor for a year now. I recently was given a urine test, which came back positive for METHADONE, which I have never ever taken. I only take Efexor. Could this be the problem?

Carla

AskDocWeb: Effexor Tablets (venlafaxine hydrochloride) have been reported to cause problems with drug screening but the sources we found said it showed up as PCP.

Subj: Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication?
Date: 1/24/2008
I have worked with alot of persons who say that antidepressant/anti anxiety medications such as Doxepin cause a false positive for benzos. Is there any research that suggest an anti depressant or antianxiety medication can cause false positives?

Michelle

AskDocWeb: Most anti anxiety medication can cause false positive for benzodiazepines. (Reference 3)

Subj: Campral?
Date: 1/25/2008
Hello, Can Campral (acamprosate) give a false positive for opiates? I do not see it listed and I think it does. Thank you,

Kevin

AskDocWeb: If you can find a good reference for this we will add it to the list.

Subj: Trazadone
Date: 1/25/2008
I have had chronic bladder infections. I recently was prescribed Cipro. I am also prescribed Trazadone for sleep prn due to unable to sleep from pain from the bladder infections. A 30 day supply has lasted 4 months but over the past week I have taken 4 because of the UTI has caused a lot of pain causing me to stay awake. I will be taking a drug test. Is it OK to take these prescription meds and if not how long does Trazadone stay in your system? I know of a person working for the hospital that was prescribed xanax and she was drug tested and was told she would have to go to drug rehab and she could not take the xanax if she wanted to remain working there.

Lisa

Subj: Serrapeptase and Tung Sheuh
Date: 1/27/2008
I have been taking two herbal products for a problem I have with a pinched nerve in my neck. They are serrapeptase and Tung Sheuh and seem to be helping in controlling the pain. The problem is that I work in an industry that requires random drug screening and I have just learned that these products could give a false positive. If this is so how long does it take for these herbs to get out of my system and is there any way I can have them declared so I can continue taking them.

Richard

AskDocWeb: Sorry Richard, we’ve not seen any data on those herbs. You can tell those in charge of the test that you are taking the herbs. If you get what you think is a false positive then request a GC/MS confirmation test.

Subj: False on Methadone in Urine?
Date: 1/28/2008
Will any of the following give a false on Methadone in Urine: Tegretol, Akinetone, Seroquel and Haldol-depo injection. My friends is in hospital over 3 months and this is drugs he takes over 2 years.

Vesna

AskDocWeb: No problems have been reported with those drugs.

Subj: Should I be worried?
Date: 1/28/2008
I drank some tonic water the night before my drug test, which was at 9:30 the following morning – should I be worried?

Tyler

AskDocWeb: Not necessarily, false positives are rare.

Subj: Lanacaine?
Date: 1/28/2008
Can lanacaine give a false positive for cocaine?

Larry

AskDocWeb: We found no reference for lanacaine in connection with false positives.

Subj: Pfizer rand tests
Date: 1/30/2008
I had taken max strength coricidin 2 days before a drug test and tested positive for PCP and methadone. It was a Pfizer drug screen test. They tested the same urine sample with another test and got negative across the board. They said they get frequent false positive with Pfizer rand tests. Is there a way to alert Pfizer?

Tanya

AskDocWeb: You could go on their website and find a contact number to call but if the Pfizer rand test produces frequent false positives then it is likely that the manufacturer already knows about it.

Subj: Benzyl peroxide 10%?
Date: 1/30/2008
Our daughter has had clean tests for several months and today she was heart broken her test showed up positive for benzodiazepines. The only thing she said she has used is benzylperoxide 10% on zits last night. Any correlation possible?

Alan

AskDocWeb: Sorry, there is no relationship between the two.

Subj: Zoloft reference
Date: 1/31/2008
I have reviewed your list of ‘False Positives’ and by Zoloft you have Ref. 31, I would like to know what Ref. 31 is and where I can get a copy of that part. I take 200 mg daily and have been accused of misuse of Benzos and I have never used them, need help in clearing this with my disability claim with the VA. Any help would be appreciated.

David

AskDocWeb: Just copy “www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/SSRIs-bupropion-and-urine-.html” (without the quotes) into the address box at the top of your web browser and press the enter key.

Subj: Pheylephrine and pseudoephedrine
Date: 2/2/2008
I’m curious if you think that pheylephrine and pseudoephedrine could cause a false positive reading on a urine test. I have been taking both of those in mass quantities because I have been very ill and am tryin to get better before I enter the academy. I took a drug test but now I’m worried about the outcome because I was never asked about any meds I may be on. Would this show?

Matt

AskDocWeb: We would be concerned that the pseudoephedrine may be detected as amphetamines (speed).

Subj: Benzo’s stored in fat cells?
Date: 2/2/2008
I was recently discharged from an inpatient treatment facility for having 2 toxes come back positive for low traces of benzo’s. I was discharged from the program for noncompliance of their drug policy. I have not used a drink or a drug in almost 8 months. I have gained almost 40 pounds in the last 8 months. Is it possible that the benzo’s could have stored in my fat cells and when I started working out on a daily basis could that in turn caused them release from my fat cells?? Also I am currently taking Neurontin, Vistaril, Zoloft and was also on the Nicotine patch for about a week. I also want to mention that I have Hepatitis C, could that have played a role in the whole situation? Please help!

Amanda

AskDocWeb: Benzo’s are lipid soluble so just like the metabolites for THC, it gets stored in fat cells. The Neurontin and Vistaril shouldn’t cause any problem but Zoloft has been reported to cause false positives for benzodiazepines.

Subj: Ibuprofen
Date: 2/2/2008
I take ibuprofen daily for my pains and recently have failed a urine for marijuana. Is this possible?

Patrick

AskDocWeb: According to several sources, yes it is possible. The good news is that you can clear this up by getting a GC/MS confirmation test, which will show the result to be a false positive.

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