Leena Watts
Drug tests are a common requirement for employment, medical issues, and mental health evaluations. While they are meant to test for the presence of drugs in the body, they can sometimes yield false positives. This occurs when a test detects a substance that isn't actually there, often due to the presence of certain medications, supplements, or even foods. In the context of diet pills, certain weight management medications like phentermine can cause false positives for amphetamines. It is important for individuals taking diet pills to be aware of this possibility and consult with healthcare providers to ensure accurate testing and avoid potential negative consequences.
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What You'll Learn
Diet pills with phentermine may cause a false positive result
Phentermine could raise a false red flag in your drug screen if you don't have a medical reason for taking amphetamines. This means that phentermine may show up as amphetamines on a drug test, even if you are only taking phentermine as prescribed.
If you are aware that you will be taking a drug test soon, it may be a good idea to stop taking phentermine for a few days beforehand to avoid the possibility of a false positive result. Alternatively, you can inform the lab that you are taking phentermine and provide proof of your prescription before the test. This will help to avoid any confusion or potential negative consequences.
It is important to note that false positives can also occur due to laboratory errors or certain foods and supplements that you consume. Therefore, it is always a good idea to be aware of the potential for false positives and to be proactive in communicating with the lab or your employer if you have any concerns.
Additionally, other medications can also cause false positives, such as antidepressants, decongestants, and dextromethorphan. So, it is always advisable to be informed about the potential impact of any substances you are consuming on drug test results.
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Over-the-counter medications can cause false positives
Some common over-the-counter medications that can cause false positives include:
- Antidepressants, such as Zoloft (sertraline) and Prozac (fluoxetine), which can cause false positives for benzodiazepines and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or amphetamines, respectively.
- Wellbutrin (bupropion) and trazodone, which can cause false positives for amphetamines or LSD.
- Antihistamines and sleep aids containing diphenhydramine, such as Benadryl and Advil PM, which can show up as methadone or PCP.
- Dextromethorphan, found in many over-the-counter cough suppressants, which can cause false positives for opioids.
- Ibuprofen, which has been known to rarely cause false positives for cannabis or PCP.
- Naproxen and fenoprofen, which can also cause false positives for cannabis or PCP.
It's important to note that while these medications can trigger false positives, the risk is relatively low and can be further mitigated by confirmatory testing, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
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Foods like poppy seeds can cause false positives
It is important to be aware that certain foods and drinks can cause false positives on drug tests. Poppy seeds, for example, are derived from the Papaver somniferum plant, also known as the opium poppy, which is used to make heroin. Although the seeds are harmless, they contain trace amounts of codeine and morphine (approximately 0.5-10 micrograms per gram). This means that eating poppy seeds can result in a positive drug test. This is because drug tests may fail to distinguish between poppy seeds and other stronger, illegal opiates.
The World Anti-Doping Agency code suggests a threshold of 1.3 micrograms per gram of morphine. However, consuming poppy seeds can still raise the possibility of a false positive drug test, according to a study published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology. Therefore, if you have an upcoming drug test, it is recommended to avoid eating poppy seeds or foods containing them, such as bagels, cakes, and pastries.
It is worth noting that the concentration of morphine in poppy seeds is significantly lower than that of medically administered morphine, which ranges from 5,000 to 30,000 micrograms per gram. Nonetheless, the presence of opiate residue in poppy seeds can lead to a false positive result on a drug test.
In addition to poppy seeds, there are other foods and drinks that can potentially cause false positives. Tonic water, for instance, often contains quinine, which is sometimes used to cut illegal drugs like heroin. This means that consuming tonic water may cause a false positive urine test. Similarly, CBD products derived from hemp may contain trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, which can show up on a drug test.
Furthermore, certain medications can also lead to false positives. Antidepressants, decongestants, and dextromethorphan (found in cough suppressants like Robitussin and Delsym) are examples of drugs that can cause false positives. Antibiotics like rifampin and fluoroquinolones have also been linked to false positives, as they may show up as opiates on rapid urine screens.
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CBD products may cause a false positive for THC
Diet pills are not known to cause a failed drug test. However, certain medications, supplements, and foods can lead to a false positive result. For example, Phentermine, a prescription medicine that curbs appetite, is chemically similar to amphetamines and could result in a false positive. Similarly, poppy seeds naturally contain morphine and codeine, so eating a poppy seed bagel might make you test positive for opioids.
CBD products, on the other hand, may cause a false positive for THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. While CBD itself does not cause a false positive, products made from hemp can contain small amounts of THC that can be detected in a urine drug test. CBD is typically extracted from the flowers and buds of hemp plants, which are relatives of the Cannabis sativa plant that produces marijuana. Hemp is legally defined as any part of a cannabis plant containing 0.3% THC or less. However, CBD products made from hemp may contain varying amounts of THC, sometimes in concentrations too high to be explained by the legal amount of hemp used.
The varying THC concentrations in CBD products can be attributed to two main reasons. Firstly, CBD products sourced from cannabis dispensaries in states where marijuana is legal may handle both THC and CBD products, leading to unintentional THC inclusion through shared equipment or insufficiently separated processes. Secondly, the lack of strict FDA regulation for CBD products has resulted in widespread mislabelling, with some products being sold as THC-free hemp when they actually contain low-quality oil extracted from marijuana.
The presence of THC in CBD products can lead to a positive drug test in two ways. Firstly, regular use of CBD products with trace amounts of THC can cause a buildup of THC in the body over time, leading to detectable levels. Secondly, CBD can affect how the body metabolizes compounds, causing users who also consume marijuana to exhibit higher levels of THC for a more extended period. Therefore, it is recommended that patients consult their healthcare providers before taking CBD products, especially if they are required to undergo drug testing.
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Confirming a negative result with a secondary test
Drug tests are often used as a requirement for employment, but they can also be required for medical issues. The most common type of drug test is a urine test, but other specimens may be collected, such as blood or breath samples.
It is important to note that false-positive results can occur due to a variety of factors, including certain medications, supplements, and foods. For example, some antidepressants, decongestants, and over-the-counter cold and flu medications can cause false positives for amphetamines or other substances. CBD products may also lead to a false positive for THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, due to potential cross-contamination or the presence of small amounts of THC in hemp-derived CBD.
If you receive a positive result on a drug test, it is essential to confirm the accuracy of the result by requesting a secondary test. This is known as confirmatory testing and is highly recommended to reduce the chances of a false positive. The most common type of confirmatory test is Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), which is considered the "gold standard" for drug testing. GC-MS is a highly specific test that can identify separate compounds within a sample, providing accurate identification and levels of specific compounds.
To ensure the accuracy of your results and avoid potential false positives, it is recommended to inform the lab or clinic of any medications, supplements, or substances you are taking before the test. Additionally, providing a copy of your prescription to the person conducting the drug test can be helpful. By taking these steps and confirming negative results with a secondary test, you can be confident in the accuracy of your drug test results.
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Frequently asked questions
Diet pills may contain substances that can trigger a false positive result on a drug test. For example, some diet pills contain phentermine, which is chemically similar to amphetamines.
A false positive is when a drug test shows the presence of a substance or medication that you did not actually take. This can be due to laboratory error or certain medications, foods, and other factors.
Some common substances that can cause a false positive include hemp products, poppy seeds, coca tea, certain over-the-counter medications like Benadryl and Advil PM, and prescription medications like sertraline (Zoloft) and efavirenz (Sustiva).
If you think you have received a false positive result on a drug test, you should speak to your employer or healthcare provider. They may be able to arrange for a more specific and accurate second test to be conducted.
