01227 502962Did you know that some prescription drugs can give false positive?
When you’re going to be interviewed for that new position, or perhaps you’re simply going through routine drug-testing protocols at work, Drug Tests and random drug tests are a real practice in the workplace and you should be aware of a few important things especially the diagnosis of a false positive.
Whilst drug tests may be very effective at identifying drug abuse the problem with these tests is that there are ways which they may diagnose a false positive.
What is a false positive when taking prescription drugs?
A false positive means that you are testing positive for a substance which to your best knowledge you have not taken, and this may happen by simply taking some prescription drugs.
This is not uncommon as there are several medications and reasons for you to achieve a false positive. We will discuss them below.
To make life a little easier, we’ve listed the key factors which may cause a false positive.
3 factors of false positive in prescription drugs
Factors of a false positive with some prescription drugs:
1 – Depending on the type of test
Not all tests are made equally, and certain screening tests are more likely to give a false positive than others.
When there is a drug test performed which brings about a false positive, this needs to be confirmed with the GC/MS method (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry are two very powerful and sensitive instruments used to detect and study trace amount of chemicals).
This test may reduce the chances of a false positive to nil.
2 – Threshold of laboratories
Drug testing laboratories are setting their threshold too low. This alone may cause a false positive.
For Example: If you are in the area of or near people who are smoking marijuana, you are bound to inhale some second-hand smoke.
If the lab who performs your test has their threshold set too low, even this second-hand smoke will appear in your test as a false positive.
This is why it is so important to discuss the levels at which the substance was found, was the substance identified at a level which was significant OR is it just a trace amount.
3 – Compounds
In the medicinal spectrum, there are many prescription drugs and over the counter drugs which may cause a false positive on a drug test.
This is because these medications have similar compounds to active drug metabolites. This is true even in some foods, as poppy seeds have been known to give a false positive for opiates.
Prescription drug addiction is as dangerous as any other drug addiction
You may be wondering why these tests are performed. Well, the truth is that there are more drugs on the market than any of us realize.
A lot of these drugs are great for us, but some of them are addictive and may lead to something called prescription drug addiction.
This addiction can be just as bad, if not worse than being addicted to some street drugs, and it is not an addiction which belongs anywhere near the workplace.
This is why prescription drugs are tested for in work urine or hair tests.
15 Questions about medications that can give false positive
Unfortunately, there are some crazy questions to which we have a few answers to below.
Please bear in mind that if you are suffering from prescription drug addiction or know someone who is suffering from prescription drug abuse you can help them.
Pointing them in the direction of help or telling someone they need help is important and may save them from further bodily harm.
Allowing someone to carry on suffering through something like prescription drug addiction and then letting them work to fund that addiction is not doing them or the workplace any favours.
1 – Can Prescription drugs give a false positive?
Yes, this is a common occurrence as drug tests are often performed via a urine sample. The threshold levels set by the laboratory performing the test are often set too low.
However, hair drug tests are more reliable since the laboratories check the different illegal drugs like ketamine or tramadol
If you are taking some prescription drugs and being requested to take a drug test, is important that you inform them of the medicaments and pills you are taking.
2- Can doctors see any type of drugs when taking a blood test?
Yes, blood tests are very effective and will even reveal drugs in your blood up to 24-hours after it’s consumption.
It will still, however, depend on a few factors. This includes but is not limited to, the type of drug, the amount of the drug, and the frequency of the drug usage.
3 – What is being tested in a urine drug test?
A urine drug test is painless and designed to identify the presence of illegal drugs and prescription drugs medications in the urine.
This test will usually screen for amphetamines, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, marijuana, cocaine, PCP, methadone, opioids (narcotics).
4 – Do psychiatric medications show up in a general drug test?
No, psychiatric mediation such as anti-depressants it not tested for in general urine drug tests, however, their formulas may cause a false positive on your test.
5 – What Prescription drugs drug can test positive for THC?
You may test false positive for THC if you have taken ibuprofen or naproxen. These are two common over the counter anti-inflammatory pain medications.
6 – Can anxiety medication cause you to fail a drugs test?
Yes, if your employer tests for Benzodiazepines.
7- Can I use a child’s pee to pass a drug test?
Yes, but NO! Yes, child’s pee may pass for your own however you are usually asked to “perform” on the spot and will NOT be allowed to bring in your urine sample.
8 – What drugs show up as meth?
Meth falls under Amphetamines and found as a street drug, as well as a prescription drug for people with attention disorders, depression, obesity and narcolepsy.
9 – Will frozen urine pass a drug test?
Yes, frozen urine has the potential to pass a drug test, provided that there are no toxins in your urine when the sample is taken.
10 – Will smoking hemp flower, CBD, cause you to fail a drug test?
Yes and no. Smoking a flower which contains THC will result in a positive test. Most CBD oils, on the other hand, undergo a special process which removes THC and should not test positive.
11 -Can you still pass urine test If on your period?
You can be asked to take a urine test on your period, and you will pass or fail based on the toxins in your urine.
12 – Can a urine test distinguish male and female urine?
Unfortunately no, there is no apparent difference. Urine testing with urine from the opposite gender has been faked before. This will fail if a female is pregnant. As the pregnancy will be apparent in a urine test.
13 – Can I pass a 10-panel drug test for meth in 3 days?
Yes and no. This is possible based on the amount of the substance you use, as well as how often you use it.
14 – Can I pass a drug test if I ate a weed brownie?
No, highly unlikely, but the results are dependent on the amount of the toxin consumed as well as the length of time from consumption to testing.
15 – Can apple cider vinegar clean drugs out of the body?
Apple cider vinegar has the potential to remove toxins from your body.
Should you be worried if you are taking prescription drugs?
We understand that there are many reasons that you would be nervous about taking a drug test. It is uncomfortable as well as scary, especially if you have tested false positive!
Please bear in mind that the reasons for these test are directed at people who suffer from prescription drug addiction and prescription drug abuse.
These individuals suffer from an addiction to prescription pills which is not safe for a working environment.
These people shouldn’t be allowed to be in the system until they have received the help they need to get better. So with that being said, try to understand that this drug test is for your own safety as well as the companies.
Sources:
EasyDNA_Client_Reviews
