Madeleine Hull
Drug tests are designed to detect specific substances in the body, but certain factors can affect their accuracy. For instance, some prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements can interfere with test results, causing false positives. Additionally, certain foods and beverages can also lead to false positives, such as poppy seeds, hemp seeds, coca tea, and pizza. These items contain traces of substances that may be misidentified by drug tests as illegal or illicit drugs. It is important for individuals to be aware of these potential interferences and, if concerned, consult with their healthcare provider or employer to request more specific testing or provide documentation of their prescriptions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | Poppy seeds, hemp seeds, coca tea, pizza, CBD products, secondhand marijuana smoke, tonic water, mouthwash |
| Prescription medications | Opiates, opioids, oxycodone, morphine, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, phentermine, quetiapine, chlorpromazine, rifampin, ibuprofen, antidepressants, antibiotics, ADHD medications, antihistamines, sleep aids |
| Over-the-counter medications | Decongestants, cough suppressants, allergy medications, sleep medications, CBD products, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium |
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What You'll Learn
Poppy seeds can cause false positives for opiates like morphine and codeine
Consuming poppy seeds can lead to false positives for opiates like morphine and codeine. The seeds can contain trace amounts of these substances, which can be detected in a drug test. The poppy seeds that are used in food come from the Papaver somniferum plant, or the opium poppy, which is also used to make heroin.
Poppy seeds themselves don't contain opiates, and you cannot eat enough poppy seeds to get high. However, because drug tests are highly sensitive, eating certain poppy seed food products can lead to positive urine test results for opiates. This is especially true for morphine, codeine, or both. In most cases, opiate concentrations in urine are too low to produce a positive test result. But some food products contain enough opiates to produce positive test results, and it's generally impossible to know which ones, because opiate content doesn't appear on food labels.
The U.S. Defense Department issued a memo on February 17, 2023, warning service members to avoid eating poppy seeds because doing so may result in a positive urine test for the opiate codeine. This is known as the "poppy seed defense" and has been used in legal settings, with the defense attributing the source of opium alkaloids to the consumption of food containing poppy seeds.
To distinguish between poppy seed consumption and opiate administration, codeine concentrations exceeding 300 ng/mL coupled with morphine-to-codeine ratios of less than 2 indicate codeine consumption and exclude poppy seed consumption as an explanation for the test result.
To ensure the most accurate drug test results, it is recommended to avoid consuming poppy seeds before a drug test.
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Hemp seeds can cause false positives for THC
Hemp seeds are derived from the hemp plant, a low-THC version of the Cannabis Sativa plant. While the hemp plant is distinct from the marijuana plant, the two plants look similar. Hemp seeds contain less than 0.3% THC, which is not enough to cause intoxication. However, regular consumption of hemp seeds can lead to THC accumulation in fat cells, which can result in a false positive on a drug test.
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis plants. While hemp seeds have low levels of THC, frequent consumption can cause the compound to accumulate in the body's fat cells and linger for up to five weeks. This accumulation may lead to a positive drug test result without any direct ingestion of marijuana.
The impact of hemp seed consumption on drug tests has been studied, and the results indicate that ingestion of hemp seed food products can lead to urine specimens screening positive for marijuana. However, it is important to note that the specimens did not give quantitative values above the limit of detection for marijuana. This suggests that while hemp seeds can cause a false positive, the levels of THC detected may not be high enough to exceed the thresholds used in federal drug testing programs.
It is worth noting that drug tests can be affected by various factors, including the type of test, timing, individual metabolism, and medications or supplements taken. The most reliable drug tests are those conducted by certified labs with experienced technicians.
In conclusion, while hemp seeds can cause a false positive for THC, it is unlikely to be a significant concern for most individuals. The levels of THC detected in urine specimens after hemp seed consumption are typically low and may not exceed the limits used in standard drug testing. However, it is always advisable to be aware of the potential impact of diet on drug testing and consult with healthcare providers or testing facilities for specific guidance.
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Coca tea can cause false positives for cocaine
Coca tea is derived from the coca plant, which is the same plant used to produce cocaine. Coca leaves contain cocaine, along with other related alkaloids. Research has shown that coca tea breaks down into cocaine metabolites, which can be detected in the body for up to 36 hours and may appear in tests as soon as 2 hours after consumption. These metabolites can result in a false positive for cocaine on a drug test.
A 2005 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that all participants who consumed coca tea had positive urine tests for cocaine metabolites within 2 hours of ingestion. Three out of five participants' samples remained positive at 36 hours. Another study appearing in the European Journal of Emergency Medicine in 2016 also found that coca tea can result in a false positive for cocaine.
It is important to note that coca tea is illegal in the United States. If a patient tests positive for cocaine after ingesting coca tea, they should be informed that their tea is illegal.
Other foods and beverages that can cause false positives on drug tests include poppy seeds, hemp seeds, pizza, and tonic water. Poppy seeds can lead to false positives for opiates like morphine and codeine, while hemp seeds can cause a false positive for THC due to accumulation in fat cells. Pizza, due to the fermentation of sugars in the dough, can result in a false positive on a breathalyzer test. Tonic water, which contains quinine, may also indicate drug use on a urine test as quinine is used to trim illegal substances.
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Mouthwash can cause false positives for alcohol
The presence of alcohol in mouthwash can temporarily raise breath alcohol readings, but these levels usually drop quickly. If enough time has passed since using the mouthwash, it generally doesn't affect the accuracy of breathalyser tests. Mouthwash containing ethanol or other types of alcohol, if used shortly before an alcohol urine test, can also result in a false positive.
In addition to mouthwash, other factors can cause false positives for alcohol. These include medications, supplements, breath fresheners, fermented foods and beverages, environmental factors such as hand sanitizers or cleaning products containing alcohol, improper testing procedures, and lab errors. Certain medications, such as over-the-counter cold and flu medicines, asthma medications, and pain relievers, may contain small amounts of alcohol that can interfere with alcohol tests. Fermented foods like kombucha, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and yoghurt can also have trace amounts of alcohol due to the natural fermentation process.
It is important to be aware of these potential sources of false positives when conducting alcohol testing. To avoid inaccurate results, individuals should refrain from using mouthwash and other products containing alcohol before taking an alcohol test. Consulting with a healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any medication or supplement is also advisable to prevent false positives.
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Prescription medications like phentermine can cause false positives for amphetamines
Drug tests are used to detect the presence of specific substances in the body. Urine tests are the most common type of drug test. Drug test results can be affected by medications, foods, and supplements. For instance, a false positive can occur due to laboratory error or contamination.
Phentermine is a prescription medicine that helps curb your appetite. It is chemically similar to amphetamines, a stimulant used to treat ADHD and as a study aid to stay awake. Phentermine has been shown to interfere with GC-EI-MS assays of R-(-)-MTPA-derivatized d-amphetamine, degrading the chromatography of the internal standard and analyte ions and skewing concentration calculations. This interference can lead to false-positive results for amphetamines.
Phentermine is a member of the phenethylamine class of drugs and is a common appetite suppressant. It is used to treat obesity and is often prescribed for people who are at increased medical risk because of their weight. Phentermine works by decreasing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness, thereby reducing food intake and promoting weight loss.
Phentermine is typically prescribed for short-term use, as the body can develop a tolerance to its effects over time, reducing its effectiveness. It is generally recommended for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. However, it may also be prescribed for people with a BMI of 27 or higher if they have other weight-related risk factors, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
When taking phentermine, it is important to be aware of potential drug interactions and side effects. It can interact with other medications, such as antidepressants, and may cause side effects like increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and insomnia. Therefore, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before taking phentermine or any other prescription medication.
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Frequently asked questions
Foods that can cause a false positive on a drug test include poppy seeds, hemp seeds, coca tea, and pizza. Poppy seeds can cause false positives for opiates like morphine and codeine, while hemp seeds can lead to a false positive for THC if consumed regularly. Coca tea, made from coca leaves, breaks down into cocaine metabolites, which can also result in a false positive. Lastly, the yeast in pizza dough can ferment sugars into alcohol, potentially causing traces of alcohol in your mouth and a false positive on a breathalyzer test.
Dextromethorphan, an ingredient in many over-the-counter cough suppressants, may cause a false positive for opioids. Antidepressants, decongestants, and diphenhydramine, found in some allergy and sleep medications like Benadryl, can also cause false positives for opioids or opiates.
Phentermine, a prescription appetite suppressant, may trigger a false positive for amphetamines. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and trazodone, as well as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Zoloft (sertraline) and Prozac (fluoxetine), can also cause false positives for amphetamines.
Antibiotics like rifampin, which treats tuberculosis, can show up as opiates in rapid urine screens. Cannabidiol (CBD) products may also lead to a false positive for marijuana, especially if they contain traces of THC. If you suspect a false positive result, you can request more specific testing and provide documentation of your prescriptions to potentially schedule a retest.
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