Feedback on False Positives from Drug Testing, page 65
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: Tested positive for alcohol
Date: 6/2/2009
Recently my son was in a recovery program. He tested positive for alcohol two months ago and just got the results this week. He denies any use. Is their a possibly that the test could have been wrong?
Trish
AskDocWeb: That depends on what test they used. If it was the EtG test then yes, that test may be too inaccurate to be reliable. According to an advisory issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “The EtG (Ethyl Glucuronide) test, which has recently come into popular use by many laboratories, is too sensitive to distinguish between actual alcohol consumption and exposure to small amounts of alcohol found in many household and personal hygiene products.”
Subj: energy drinks
Date: 6/2/2009
I tested pos on a GC/MS for amphetamines could energy drinks if drank on a high quantity be accounted for?
Nathan
AskDocWeb: Several people have asked about the energy drinks but we have yet to find a professional reference that would clear this up.
Subj: Gemfibrozil?
Date: 6/3/2009
Can Gemfibrozil (generic for Lopid) cause a false positve for marijuana in a urine test?
Lucy
AskDocWeb: We found one isolated report that suggests gemfibrozil might cause a false positive test for marijuana (THC) so it is worth getting a confirmation test to check it out. See the Journal of Analytical Toxicology (JAT) 1999, article by Lewis JH. Interference of Gemfibrozil with Roche TesTcup.
Subj: Urine test to check norco level
Date: 6/4/2009
I have to take a urine test to check the levels of my prescription for norco. I am prescribed 60mg a day due to cervical spine issues that are inoperable. My daughter was diagnosed with leukemia this month and I stayed with her in the hospital and the added stress and the “cots” did a number on me. I had to take more that the prescribed 60mg a day several times to be able to move. I had very little for several days during the month but on the 8th day before testing I took 40mg on the 7-1st day before testing I took the prescribed 60mg per day and 10mg the morning before testing. I was told you need to show 3700 (how it is measured I have no clue). I have been on this med for 11 months. I am 59 years old and weigh 120 lbs. in case you need to know. Will my levels be ok, or not? Thanks.
Paula
AskDocWeb: From your description it sounds like the level of drug in your system may not measure up to what is expected.
Subj: THC?
Date: 6/5/2009
If I failed a urine test for probation and I’m currently taking Ib Profen 800 would that come up as THC?
Samantha
AskDocWeb: There are several references (1, 3, 16, 18, and 29) that say Ibuprofen may show up as a false positive for THC or Marijuana.
Subj: Protonix
Date: 6/7/2009
I take nexium but didn’t take them with me when I went to my moms house she gave me one of her protonix and a advil she says they will help like my nexium. I had a light line of THC on a drug test the next day could that be possible because I don’t use illegal drugs.
Jim
AskDocWeb: It is illegal for you to take a drug that was prescribed for someone else. If you take a prescription drug that was prescribed for anyone other than yourself, you are using illegal drugs.
Subj: Biaxin
Date: 6/10/2009
I am taking 500mg Biaxin. Please let me know if it will test positive in a urine drug test? Thank you.
Yvette.
AskDocWeb: Biaxin has not been reported to cause any problems with urine drug tests.
Subj: Cocaine
Date: 6/10/2009
I failed a urine test at probation said I had cocaine in me. I have never took cocaine in my life but have used ambasol for my bad teeth would that show cocaine? I’m also on norco and xanax and seroqaul and prozack was on ambein can any of these cause me to show for cocaine?
Floyd
AskDocWeb: None of the drugs you list have been reported to cause a false positive for cocaine on urine drug tests.
Subj: Red Bull cola
Date: 6/11/2009
I been drinking red bull cola and I came out postive for cocaine. redbull cola has coca leaf in it.
Carlos
Subj: Poppy seeds?
Date: 6/12/2009
Will poppy seeds from a hot dog bun cause a false positive for oxycodone? I took the 12 panal test, and came up positive for oxycodone only. No positive for opiates. The seeds are the only thing I can think of. I also am on suboxone, but know that wont cause false positive.
Sean
AskDocWeb: Poppy seeds have been reported to show up as Heroin (MDMA), and Opiates on urine drugs tests. They do contain a small amount of morphine. (See references 3, 16, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, and 32)
Subj: Citalopram
Date: 6/12/2009
Can citalopram cause false positive opiates emit screen?
Joe
AskDocWeb: Citalopram (Celexa) has not been reported to cause any false positives on emit screens.
Subj: Tested positive for benzo
Date: 6/12/2009
My girlfriend is on citalopram 40mg and sulfamethoxazole (she takes two a day but isn’t sure of dosage). She tested positive for benzo and wants to know if one of, or the combination of the 2 could cause this? Thanks,
Steve
AskDocWeb: Neither drug has been reported to cause a false positive for benzos.
Subj: Tested positive for cannabis
Date: 6/14/2009
Hi, I recently tested positive for cannabis at a pre-employment test- urine dipstick test. I do not take any form of illegal drugs. Reading over some web pages, I have read Naproxen and Ibuprofen can cause false positive results, but then other websites say they don’t – can you clarify this. I was on Ibuprofen 400mg 3 time a day, then switched to 500mg Naproxen 3 days before the test. Will a GC/MS test definitely clear my name? Thanks.
Sarah
AskDocWeb: It is not 100% certain but the GC/MS test is currently the best chance you have of identifying a false positive.
Subj: Creatine ethyl ester malate
Date: 6/16/2009
My son failed an alcohol test via urinalysis. He’s been using creatine ethyl ester malate and says that he has not been using alcohol. Could this cause a false-positive? The word “ethyl” made me wonder. Thanks.
Sarah
AskDocWeb: It is possible, an ester is a compound formed from alcohol and an acid by removal of water.
Subj: Hair test
Date: 6/17/2009
I also was tested with a hair test and it came back with 1.4 ng of cocaine but I’ve never touched the stuff what false positives are their on this test for cocaine?
Harry
AskDocWeb: Sorry Harry, our list is limited to false positives on urine drug tests. We don’t have the resources required to research hair tests.
Subj: Bronch eze
Date: 6/18/2009
Bronch eze….I take bronch eze and failed a drug test for amphetamine in my system. I am drug free however, it showed positive when I applied for a job…please explain why… Thank you,
David
AskDocWeb: This subject is so taboo and politically incorrect that an explanation of why this happens may be a long time coming. Several over-the-counter nasal sprays and inhalers have been reported to cause false positives on urine drug tests. It seems likely that one of the ingredients they have in common is causing the problem. Vicks inhaler and Afrin (References 2, 10, 16, and 21) have already been identified.
Subj: Phenol, Benzocaine, and Ibuprofen?
Date: 6/18/2009
Could any of the following cause a false positive for opiates in urine: Phenol, Benzocaine, Ibuprofen?
Diane
AskDocWeb: Phenol and Benzocaine are not listed but Ibuprofen has been reported to sometimes show up as a false positive for Marijuana or THC (See references 1, 3, 16, 18, and 29).
Subj: False PCP reading?
Date: 6/18/2009
I am a recovering heroin addict with 3 years clean and sober. My life has totally changed. I am still going counseling and group therapy 2 days per week. After 3 years of negative urine tests, I was told this week that I came up positive for PCP. I was shocked, stunned and devastated! They believe me that I did not use any PCP and that is probably a false positive and have ordered a GC/MS test. I took Ibuprofen 800mgs., Coricidin HBP, Albuterol Inhaler, and nicotine gum. I also had a wart frozen off my thumb at the dermatologist the day before the test. Could the freezing have caused the PCP result, the stuff they used at the derm. smelled very chemical-like? Also, will this GC/MS clear me or is there a chance that too could give a false PCP reading? I just want this all behind me and to be vindicated. It’s hard when you know you did NOT use!
Rachel
AskDocWeb: Nothing involved with the freezing process of wart removal has been reported to cause a false positive. If it was a false positive the GC/MS will most likely vindicate you. The test is not perfect because it involves interpretation by human beings but it is the most accurate test available.
Subj: Cocoa butter?
Date: 6/19/2009
I recently had a random drug screening at work. This screening came up positive for cocaine. I have never in my life used this drug. My employer fired me on the spot. They said they don’t test a second time. I went to my doctor’s office the next morning and asked for a drug screening to be done and told her why. My tests came back clean the next day. I have been trying to figure this out as to how this could happen. I just ran across an article about the cocaine positive, and it said you could possibly test positive if you had used the cocoa leaf like in tea or something. Now I didn’t have any tea, but this did get me thinking about cocoa in general. I happen to like a couple of chocolate candies that have cocoa butter in them. If I consumed enough of these chocolates (Mr. Goodbar, and sugar free Dove’s with Raspberry Creme ) could this have caused this false positive. I would ask my Doctor but since it is to late for me to call the offices now I will have to wait till Monday. Please any help would be appriciated. Thanks
Deanna in upstate New York
AskDocWeb: Neither chocolate nor cocoa butter have been reported to cause any problems on urine drug tests.
Subj: Positive for methadone!
Date: 6/19/2009
I am a 61 yr. old female & was recently sent to a pain management Dr because of arthritis, fibromyalsia, osteoporpsis[9 broken bones in 5 yrs.] I am on clonasapam, synthroid, loratab, zetia, diovan, atenalol, vit. c & d, premarin, tzanadine, and excedrin p.m. I also use benadryal and other allergy over the counter medications. the dr. ran a urine test & it showed positive for methadone! I have never even seen this drug before. I got a letter from the dr. saying he was going to drop me as a pt.
Sandy
AskDocWeb: If you do not contest the results of that drug test then you are setting yourself up for future problems. The results of that drug test will become a part of your medical history. Please consider what will happen when your next doctor reads your medical history.
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