LIST 9

16 Legal Substances That Can Cause False Positives on Drug Tests

1

Hemp oil—a nutritious substance derived from hemp seed—is sold in health food stores and even some mainstream grocery stores. The Journal of Analytical Toxicology spells out the problem: “A dose consistent with the manufacturer's recommendation of one to four tablespoons per day (15-60 mL) would be sufficient to cause a positive finding for cannabinoid metabolites in a workplace urine drug-testing procedure designed to detect marijuana use.” An Air Force master sergeant was court martialed when drug tests labeled him a pot-smoker, but in late 1997 a jury acquitted him on all charges after his use of hemp oil was presented.

2

Newer antibiotics from the –cillin family (e.g., amoxicillin) can test as coke.

3

Diazepam, a tranquilizer, triggers PCP-positive results.

4 5 6

Cold remedies, decongestants, and diet pills can show up as speed due to the presence of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenypropanolamine, and similar substances.

7

Some cough suppressants can look like opiates to drug tests.

8

Some antidepressants cause false positives for opiates within three days of use.

9

The common pain reliever ibuprofen, at least in the past, would show up as THC (the active ingredient in pot) on some drug tests, and, in high doses, it might still be causing some false positives.

10

DHEA, taken by people with AIDS, shows up as anabolic steroids.

11

Testosterone supplements also can make you look like a ‘roid user.

12 13

Novocaine and lidocaine—two synthetic anesthetics based on cocaine and commonly used in medical and dental procedures—can, not surprisingly, give a false positive for coke.

14

Nyquil Nighttime Cold Medicine and other over-the-counter formulations containing doxylamine can show up as methadone for 48 hours.

15

Because pastries and breads with poppy seeds contain so few of them, you'd have to eat a lot before you show up positive for opiates, and, regardless, drug tests can now differentiate between baked goods and the stuff that gets you high.

16

Second-hand pot smoke can be enough to trigger a false positive.

Drug Quote # 8

“I love what speed and coke do to my weight. It's unnatural, I know. I could just exercise…”
–Carrie Fisher