Can Certain Otc Drugs Cause A False Positive?

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I have taken numerous over the counter medicines for sinus headaches, allergies, and pain relievers containing ibuprofen in the last 6 months. I have to take a pre-employment drug test soon. I fear some of these medicines might show up as an illegal drug in my hair follicle drug test. Do I need to worry about this?

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It really depends on what you've taken and the quality of the test that is done. False positives have become fairly common.

Just as an example, on a poorly done test, the Ibuprofen could give a false positive for Marijuana. This happens much more frequently with urine tests, however, there is always a slight possibility that it could do the same on other tests, as well.

There are also reports of many over the counter cold and allergy preparations causing false positives.

However, there is probably no need to worry excessively, since this is a hair follicle test, because they do not have the rate of false positives that urine tests do.

https:/­/­www.medschat.com/­wiki/­Ibuprofen/­

Are there any other questions?

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How well do hair follicle tests stand up in court without a confirmation test being done as well? My child tested positive and court wants to charge with child endangerment just based on one follicle test. When she was tested a month later it was clean with one strand. But no confirmation test was done on first test? Help?

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3

My urine drug screen at the hospital showed up positive for Ecstacy, Benzodiazepine and Amphetomines. I have an enlarged liver with nodules and passed out in Dr's office of reality and fear he took me to ER. Screen was just pos or neg. I didn't do Ecstacy or Benzos or Amphetomines . My family doc thought the Lexapro was cause of Ecstacy. I also take Wellbutrin, Restoril a prescribed sleeping pill and Fioricet. I am 47yrs old. I'm thinking maybe the sleeping pills made pos for Benzos and wondering if Fioricet a barbituate could have caused any positives. My Liver Dr didn't appear to me or my husband to believe I didn't take these.
I would love some help.
Thanks

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4

I took valium two months ago. I have taken no other drugs. I am repeatedly testing positive for benzodiazapine using a urine test. I am a recovering alcoholic and have been diagnosed in 2010 with liver cirrhosis. Would it be possible for the valium to remain in my system for months? Would another form of drug testing be more conclusive?

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5

I know for me valium stayed in my system for nearly 4months. I get tested monthly & I couldnt understand why I was still failing the drug tests. Then I was told it was the metabolites of the valium that lingered in my body. Its called oxazepam. Hope that helped a little.

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I feel for all your stories since mine is very similar. I wasn't discharged from my pain management but they did tell me they weren't going to give any pain meds anymore because I tested positive for oxazepam. I asked what was that ?the nurse said I took Valium. I have not taken that for over two years ago, it was prescribed. I'm only prescribed morphine and robaxin and gabapentin from them. I also have diabetes and I take metformin, lisinpril and insulin. My question is what can cause a false positive like that ? Please help because it's driving me crazy what may have caused this.

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