Feedback on False Positives from Drug Testing, page 60

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: My ex partner
Date: 3/25/2009
Hi my ex partner was taking methadone for about 2 years. When I found out I was making him do drug test most of which came up positive. He is now saying he has stopped taking it and he has told me he will do another drug test to prove he is not taking it so that he can take our kids on his own. The drug test I have said the cut of level is 300 mg/ml. I am unsure what this means. If he is still taking it he is taking between 10 and 40 mls every couple of days. Will this show up on the test?

Dionne

AskDocWeb: When it comes to the safety of children, it is a better to error on the side of safety. We would believe the results of the drug test over the word of an ex drug user.

Subj: Zyrtec D
Date: 3/25/2009
Will zyrtec D show up on a drug test as positive for amphetamine?

Nat

AskDocWeb: It appears that there may be a possibility of that. Zyrtec D contains pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and pseudoephedrine has been reported to show up as amphetamines or speed. (See references 3, 11, 18, 21, and 30)

Subj: Soma
Date: 3/25/2009
I am on probation and my Dr prescribed me somas will that show on a 3 panel drug test for opiates.

Kristen

AskDocWeb: As long as there isn’t any codeine in it you should be okay.

Subj: False positive for benzodiazepines?
Date: 3/25/2009
I have several back injuries that have resulted in me having several back surgeries and due to that I am in pain management and they do drug screening every month and the past two months I have come up positive for benzodiazepines. I take roxicodone, methadone, cyclobenzaprine, rozeram, ambien cr, melatonin, unisom, amytriptyline, methylprednisolone. I know that I have not taking anything else and they are threatening to take me off my meds because they say I am using something that I am not prescribed and I don’t know how to convince them I don’t take anything I’m not supposed to. I feel like they are looking at me as if I am a liar and that really bothers me. Can any of these cause a false positive for benzodiazepines?

crystal

AskDocWeb: Methadone contains synthetic opiates (see reference 18) and has been reported to cause problems with urine drug tests. The important thing is to get a GC/MS confirmation test, which will allow you to verify or deny the results.

Subj: Zantac
Date: 3/25/2009
My husband tested positive for cocaine but had not been using. He does take Zantac on a daily basis as he suffers from acid reflux. Can Zantac cause a false positive cocaine reading on a drug urine test? Thank you in advance for your help. Sincerely,

Pamela

AskDocWeb: Zantac has been reported to sometimes show up as a false positive for amphetamines (Ref: 30) but not cocaine.

Subj: Chantix
Date: 3/25/2009
Can Chantix cause a false positive?

Jim

AskDocWeb: Chantix has not been reported to cause any false positives.

Subj: Positive for opiates?
Date: 3/26/2009
I have a client testing positive for opiates, not his drug of choice, and is taking Seroquel, Celexa, ginkgo biloba and occasionally echinacea. I haven’t found anything on these yet, but believe the client to be truthful. He denies eating poppy seeds. Any thoughts?

Teri

AskDocWeb: None of those have been reported to cause any problems on drug tests. However, there are a few health concerns with using ginkgo biloba and echinacea.

Subj: Tested positive for morphine
Date: 3/26/2009
I go to a pain clinic and they said I tested positive for morphine and I never take anything that has morphine in it because I am allergic to it. I take Klor-con, simvastatin, cymbalta, seroquel, spironolactone, furosemide, cyclobenzaprine, Fentanyl patch 25, temazepam, gabapentin, hydrocodone, imitrex, and use albuterol inhalers. Will any of these give a false positive?

Kris

AskDocWeb: Of those you mention, only two have been report to show up as a problem on urine tests; Hydrocodone Bitartrate contains synthetic opiates (Ref: 18) and Imitrex Hydergine® (Ref: 3, 18)

Subj: False-positive for cocaine?
Date: 3/26/2009
I’m trying to find out if my kidney problems or antibiotics would cause me to show a false-positive for cocaine. I’ve been told there is nothing to give a false-positive result for cocaine, I also use Lidoderm Patches for pain. It is unbelievable that I’ve tested positive without using an illegal drug. Please help as soon as possible.

Teri

AskDocWeb: We found several references that say both kidney disease and antibiotics might cause a false positive for cocaine. For kidney disease see references 3, 16, and 20. For antibiotics see references 13, 18, and 20.

Subj: Steroid use?
Date: 3/27/2009
I am in Law Enforcement. I have high blood pressure and take Norvasc, furosemide, potassium, Advil (6 to 9) dailey and Omeprazole for heart burn. I also take dailey supplements such as 2000 mcg of Niacin, creatine, and protein drinks because I am a body builder (natural). I had a Urine test for work and everything was negative except for steriods (nandrolone). Is there anything that can produce a false negative (GC/MS) test to show steroid use? I do not take illegal steroids. Please advise.

Anthony

AskDocWeb: Of those products you mention, only Advil has been reported to sometimes show up as a false positive but that was for marijuana (See references 1, 14, 16, 18, 20, 26, and 29), not steroids. We have not seen anything that would show up as a false positive or false negative for steroids on a GC/MS test.

Subj: False Positive for Cocaine(URINE)
Date: 3/28/2009
My boyfriend recently had a urine drug test at work(Random 1/3 employees)that came up positive for cocaine. My boyfriend don’t do drugs. He did fall recently at work about 3 weeks ago and rushed to the hospital. He so far has taken prescriptions of AMOXICILLIN 500mg(2 TAB)twice a day with DELSYM COUGH SYRUP(EVERY 12 HOURS). We were trying to rid severe cough/cold symptoms as he was seen for months prior. He also takes SPIRIVA(I think, COPD), STOOL SOFTENER with stimulant lexative to go regularly and Nasel SPRAY 1 to 3 times a week (as needed-about). Also due to his knee injury he has been given VICODIN 5/500(1-2 tab)pain, VALIUM 5mg(1 tab)for muscle spasms due to injury, CHILDRENS ASPRIN-81mg to reduce blood clots-1 tab daily (due to cast on leg) and now pain killer was switched to NORCO 5/325(1-2 tab) sometimes vicodin was rough on stomach. They now said he can have same urine sample(old sample) sent to new lab on list for 2cd test(OUR EXPENSE)to clear matter. I’m not sure what GC/MS is. We don’t know enough to pick the lab. How much for GC/MS(is it done on urine test-old test.) Will test clear him? He is dismissed from work until we pick lab for 2cd test and we were told about $150.00. We live in MICHIGAN. I feel results on lab is our livlyhood of making it and keeping home. I feel if not due to subscriptions somewhere someone screwed test up-we’re paying for it. I know my boyfriend of 14years. I would bet my home on it. SAD and CONFUSED.

False Positive for Cocaine(URINE)

AskDocWeb: The GC/MS confirmation test is done on the same sample from the original test. Don’t be surprised if the test costs a lot more than $150. Your doctor or local hospital may be able to refer you to a certified lab.

Subj: Illegal breath test?
Date: 3/30/2009
I was stopped and arrested for a DUI. They said that I blew 1.1 although I hadn’t had anything to drink for 12 hrs. Can being on Ambien cause a person to blow an illegal breath test?

Terry

AskDocWeb: Maybe readers can help us out here, anyone?

Subj: Positive for Marijuana
Date: 3/30/2009
I have recently been in the hospital for a heart cath. I suffered a escudo aneurysm at the femoral artery. I was originally given a mixed shot of Demerol, Phenergrin and Hydromorphone. Then I was transferred to another hospital and was given more Demerol followed by more than a weeks worth of Hydromorphone. All of these were given by injection. The last couple of days in the hospital, I was given Hydrocodone. I was sent home with a prescription on the Hydrocodone. About two weeks after my recovery my right foot was crushed in an accident and again I was on the Hydrocodone for several weeks and I am still taking them. Here are the Medications that I normally take for my Heart Problems. Coreg, Hydrochlorot, Isosorbide Mononitrate, Plavix, Nexium, Lisinopril, Asprin. I lost my job recently and had to take a drug test for pre-employment for another job. The results showed positive for Marijuana. Being that I have such bad problems with my heart, I do not use any drugs that are not prescribed and certainly do not use Marijuana. Could any of these Medications give these results? The Nexium is for Barrets Esophagus. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Mark

AskDocWeb: The only drug you take that has been reported to cause problems on drug tests is hydromorphone, it contains synthetic opiates (See reference 18).

Subj: Cyclobenzaprine
Date: 3/29/2009
What does Cyclobenzaprine show up as on a drug test?

Ben

AskDocWeb: Cyclobenzaprine is just a muscle relaxant. It has not been reported to cause any problems on drug tests. Cyclobenzaprine acts on the brain stem to relax overall muscle tension without interfering with muscle function.

Subj: Positive for methamphetamine
Date: 3/31/2009
I had a hair test that came back positive for methamphetamine. I take oxycontin, requip, premysyn pms, soma, klonopine, estratest, muccinex-d, and was wanting to know if any of these may have created a false positive test. The guy I have been seeing admitted that he has used meth and we are intimate. Can this be why? What do I need to do to clear this up?

tracy

AskDocWeb: Hair tests are more accurate than urine tests. If your guy is currently using meth then you are allowing that drug into your life and environment. We can only hope that it doesn’t cost you your job. To clear up a false positive you need to get a GC-MS confirmation test on the same sample to verify the results. If they can’t verify the results then the original test is considered a false positive.

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