What Medications Can Cause A False Positive For Methamphetamine

Can certain over the counter medications or prescription medications cause a false positive for Methamphetamine in a blood test?

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Information listed below is based on drug tests in general, whether it be urine, blood, saliva, or hair tests.

The following ingredients and meds can cause false positives for (Meth) amphetamines (from erowid):

Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, propylephedrine, phenylephrine, or desoxyephedrine:
(Nyquil, Contact, Sudafed, Allerest, Tavist-D, Dimetapp, etc)

Phenegan-D, Robitussin Cold and Flu, Vicks Nyquil

Over-the-counter diet aids with phenylpropanolamine: (Dexatrim, Accutrim [note] this compound has since been banned for use in the US)

Over-the-counter nasal sprays:
(Vicks inhaler, Afrin)

Asthma medications:
(Marax, Bronkaid tablets, Primatine Tablets)

Prescription medications:
(Amfepramone, Cathne, Etafediabe, Morazone, phendimetrazine, phenmetrazine, benzphetamine, fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, dexdenfluramine, Redux, mephentermine, Mesocarb, methoxyphenamine, phentermine, amineptine, Pholedrine, hydroymethamphetamine, Dexedrine, amifepramone, clobenzorex, fenproyorex, mefenorex, fenelylline, Didrex, dextroamphetamine, methphenidate, Ritalin, pemoline, Cylert, selegiline, Deprenyl, Eldepryl, Famprofazone)

(Meth) amphetamines have a lot in common w/ many common stimulents/antihistimines/weight-loss meds and are probably more likely to show up as a false positive than any other drug.

Most drug screens test for metabolites that are shared by amphetamines and meth (as well as all those drugs mentioned). All of those can show false positives for meth in that regard. This may not be a complete list of medications and ingredients, but it is the biggest list I could locate.

I hope this helps!

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Thank you very much. This may be a bit personal, but I have a sister who uses Meth, but she also takes a lot of medication due to chronic pain and depression and arthritis. One of her arguments is that Meth always shows up in her blood tests. She does not realize that we as a family know that she uses the illegal drug. So, I did not know if the hospital does a more extensive blood test, to make sure if it is actually the street drug Meth or just a "false positive" I appreciate your help.

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Hi Dana, Your very welcome.

That's a really good question actually; and I think it's awesome that you and your family are looking out for her in such a way.

I am aware that the quality of drug tests given in certain labs have a lot of accuracy issues. The most inaccurate are typically pre-employment drug tests, since they are generally cheap and less expensive than the one's used in doctor's offices, pain clinics, and hospitals.

In that regard, I would have more faith in a drug test from a hospital setting; since the accuracy of the results are sometimes dependent on peoples lives (literally). And that alone is a comforting aspect that you may not get if the test is taken elsewhere.

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I go to a Pain Management doctor and they do a Urine Test each time you go in just to be sure you aren't doing anything you shouldn't. Today when I went the doctor told me that I tested positive for Crystal Meth! I have NO idea what that stuff even looks like! Here's what I take. Oxycodone for severe pain. Also, Rantinidine (generic for Zantac),Gaviscon (OTC for heartburn) and Mayloxx. Also Hydroxyz(generic for Atarax) for occasional severe nausea. That's it. The only thing different was that the day before my doctor's appointment I had to get a cavity filled and had the usual shot to numb my mouth. The doctor is sending the urine off for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry testing. I hope this doesn't also show up positive for something I've NEVER taken in my life! What do you think could have cause this? This could mean the difference of me losing a doctor that has actually HELPED me. I'm in less pain now than I have been in years!

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I recently had 2 do a hair folicle test I haven't used meth 4 just over a year but 8 days b4 my test I was given a brownie 8 days later I was given a hair folicle test 5 days after my test the lab calls me asking me what prescrip pravastatin lisinopril I also tell her I've had bad allergies this year so I have been taking sudafed the lab seemed 2 o only care about my prescription drugs now I've always been under the understanding hydrocodonr apap 5 mg/500mg causes a dirty drug test as an opiate so when lab tech says I tested positive 4 meth only I assumed some my hydrcodone some didn't show just like the weed from brownies didn't show then tonight my friend tells me her hydrocodone caused a false positive 4 meth anyway I didn't the lab tech about my prescription 4 my hydrocodone cuz I'm already n trouble 4 the weed I didn't want 2 also get n2 trouble 4 my Vicodin cuz I tell the lab tech it is gonna b held against me by the company testing me so cuz I think a vicodin causes a postive 4 opiates so I thought it didn't show & now I hear my precipitation vicodin also can cause a false positive 4 meth so I gotta know is it true Vicodin cause a false positive 4 meth 2 & also based on the facts Ive given u how r my chances I'm gonna pass my hair folicle test

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my wife has been on CYMBALTA, a new drug since april 1and has fallen 3 or 4 times last per month and has radid blood pressure loss of cordination and hallucination bad not knowing me her husband. She takes 1800 mg of GABAPENTIN, BICODIN,1000MG METFORMIN, 200MG ANTRIPTYLINE, 100 MG LEVOTHYROXINE, 37.5 MG PHENTERMINE, 12 MG ONDANSETRON, 75 MG PROMETHAZINE, 25 MG HCTZ, .125 MG SYNTHROID, 100 MG DOXYCYCLINE, 40/25 MG BENICAR, 2 MG GLIMEPIRIDE, 40 MG FUROSEMIDE, 50 MG ATENOLOL. I concerned about SEROTONIN SYNDROME???? AND is it possible for her to get a false positive for amphetamine????

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I am helping my brother find a job. He took a urine test this morning and test postive for meth. He has not used meth in 8 years. It has been over a year since he smoked pot. He is not taking anything over the counter except Tums for heartburn. How could he test positive for meth? I want to believe him but it is hard.

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I have a co worker who I trust that has come up positive for meth but has not used the drug. She is taking dextroamphetamine which I have found many web pages saying this drug can cause a false positive but they have mostly been someones post is there any reference material out there I could use to help.

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I have read many different answers as to what could present a false positive for meth amphetamine. My question is could Tramadol also do this?

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i tested positive for meth i take adderall 30mg generic 100mg morphine xr 30mg morphine instant realase 2mg xanax 350 soma atarax 50 mg clartin d 24 hr abutarol inhaler plus septra 800-160 benedral

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I resent failed a drug test for meth, I'm pregnant and have been clean from drugs for 9 yrs. Could ranitidine the substitution for zantac cause a false positive

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I need all the help I CAN GET TO FIND OUT WHY I TESTED POSTITIVE FOR METH ,I TAKE ,ACETAMINOPHN,VALUIM,PHENTERMINE,DIPHENHYDRAMINE,MELOXICAM

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i kep testing positive for Meth, even though i do not use the drug, the only other thing i am taking is Ranitidine(generic for Zantac) for my ulcer...could that be causing a false positive???

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can taking citalopram and/or atenolol result in a positive testing for meth from hair folicle?

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So just found that ranitadine tests positive for meth and I have chronic heartburn..please help me find an alternative for my heartburn ..gotta test I gotta take in a week soon..please help

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Good day!! I`m under medication for almost 8 months now with meds like glicazide tab 30mg, metformin tab 500mg, B complex tab 100mg, Vit C tab 500mg, Telmisartan tab 40mg, Diphenhydramine cap 500mg, Silymarime cap 900mg, Betahistine tab 16mg, and Allupurinol tab 300mg. Can these meds give false positive result? I was tested positive for meth at NBI (national bureau of investigation) and i`m about to lose my job, career, pention, retirement claims and almost everything i work for almost 17 yrs for short to be discharge in the military service without honor pls help badly needed thanks

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albutural will cause it

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The dyphenhydomine contains amphetamine which can show up as a false positive for methamphetamine. Before you take any drug test, tell them what you are taking over the counter, or prescribed.

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sadly he is probably telling you an untruth.. meth users are notorious liars and would rather not say they used to someone helping them get employment for fear of letting that someone down. especially a non user

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Hi,
I am on Endone, Champix, Sudafed cold and flu tablets. How could this provide a fail for meth and amphetamines?

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Re: David (# 1)

There is a list online of all the OTC drugs that can screw up your labs and get you in big trouble

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I take bipolar meds clonipin and nortriptlen also oxycodine fie herniated disc a chronic pain trazadine over the counter meds to my urine good then negative now false positive I don’t get now they want out bother phychatrist an pain I never had a problem just this one time not even one chance I no people who get a chance I don’t get it now what do I do

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Re: JonD (# 349)

Depends how "briefly" you mean. It can soak in through your skin or even vapors in the air can get into your system. That's why the DEA will dress up like astronauts when busting a lab. Methamphetamine is a crystal substance that when made and even smoked is turned into a vapor and that vapor can get into your system. Now if you were just touching a crystal to look at it then depending on conditions it would enter your system. We're you sweating? How long were you touching it?

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Re: Looking at the big picture (# 31)

I would normally agree, as Everytime I failed a drug test I used. I have been clean from illegal street drugs for over 3 years! I am however prescribed Adderall and I take zantac and much is the case with many others here, I tested positive for methamphetamine! I'm from Jersey and that is not a drug you can find unless you are a biker! My employer and personal physician agree with me and as long as I produce the necessary documents for the amphetamine, I will be fine.

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Re: drjames (# 19)

That's not the card with me..I have to do a random urine drug test once a month and I recently ( past 3 months) been put on thyroid medicine..the past 3 random urine tests have showed (false) positive for methamphetamine! So taking Benadryl, Tylenol PM, Advil PM, Ranitidine and Trazadone long with Thyroid meds has caused the false positive. Before taking thyroid medicine I have NEVER had one bad test result in the 4 years of doing the required random testing.

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Re: steven dixon (# 6)

Yes, alot of the drugs you mentioned cause false positives. However if the lab knew of these meds they would of done more in-depth testing.

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Re: steven dixon (# 6)

I am not familiar with a lot of the medications you listed. However I do take gabapentin and I have taken amitriptyline and the 1800 mg of Gabapentin is way too much That could absolutely be causing some of those symptoms. Also I think the amitriptyline could

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I have taken a 15 panel home drug screen and it's giving false positive I take Vistaril Geodon Acyclovir loratadine montelukast Protonix voriconazole and have taken Sudafed what should these come up as on a home drug screen

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I just started taking Jet Alert because I work 6p-6a and was wondering if it would show a false positive on a drug test?

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Re: steven dixon (# 6)

Phentermine will cause a positive for amphetamines

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