OTC Meds Causing False Positives On Drug Tests?

Topic 25857 | Page 1

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Don's Comment
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I have a concern about taking basic OTC medication for general aches and occasion allergy symptoms. I take Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) when needed for general aches or soreness and occasionally a benadryl if I am having issues with sleep. I have read research on the internet that state Ibuprofin, Motrin, etc could cause false positives for barbiturates, THC or PCP, and Benadryl could cause false positives for methadone or PCP. I am an ex-nurse of 33 years and I personally have never heard anyone in a profession failing any drug screens for taking these types of OCT meds, but most of my experience was in clinical and geriatrics. I don't take any other medications for any ailments/disease, so I am fortunate in that regard. What are your thoughts on the subject of OTC medications possibly causing false positives on a drug screen? I may need to find alternate nsaid's or sleep aids (melatonin maybe?) if I become too paranoid.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Don's Comment
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What a dummy! I have taken theses meds in the past and never failed any drug tests then, nor any with CFI or FAB, so why am I worried now? I am getting senile.

I have a concern about taking basic OTC medication for general aches and occasion allergy symptoms. I take Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) when needed for general aches or soreness and occasionally a benadryl if I am having issues with sleep. I have read research on the internet that state Ibuprofin, Motrin, etc could cause false positives for barbiturates, THC or PCP, and Benadryl could cause false positives for methadone or PCP. I am an ex-nurse of 33 years and I personally have never heard anyone in a profession failing any drug screens for taking these types of OCT meds, but most of my experience was in clinical and geriatrics. I don't take any other medications for any ailments/disease, so I am fortunate in that regard. What are your thoughts on the subject of OTC medications possibly causing false positives on a drug screen? I may need to find alternate nsaid's or sleep aids (melatonin maybe?) if I become too paranoid.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

PackRat's Comment
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Maybe nothing, but may get a false positive like you wrote. Only thing I would suggest is for anybody with any doubts to ask their company beforehand, not after the fact. Better to feel overly cautious than to take a risk where the end result could be devastating—a failed pee test. Personally, I would definitely err on the side of caution, Donnie.

Grumpy Old Man's Comment
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I take 10 mg melatonin if I can’t sleep. Though I have found driving 10 hours eliminates that issue for me. :)

Don's Comment
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I have read research where Melatonin can cause false positives also.

I take 10 mg melatonin if I can’t sleep. Though I have found driving 10 hours eliminates that issue for me. :)

Andy D.'s Comment
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As long as you tell them upfront what medications that you take then I don't think that there would be an issue. Also I think that you would have to be taking a substantial amount of these OTCs to throw a positive though

Matthew W.'s Comment
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I have read research where Melatonin can cause false positives also.

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I take 10 mg melatonin if I can’t sleep. Though I have found driving 10 hours eliminates that issue for me. :)

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Your body produces Melatonin naturally, I find it hard to believe that it would throw up a false positive given it's a naturally produced chemical in your body. Be careful about letting people blow smoke up your tail pipe via the internet. However, I agree with others stated here, talk with your potential company. Let them know what you do take, and make sure when you go in for the **** test that you let THEM know as well. This should prevent you from having any false positives.

NeeklODN's Comment
member avatar

As far as I understand, a false positive is not likely in any scenario (excluding poppy seeds). If you test positive for something I think they have to do a confirmatory test for the exact metabolite. So, if it is really just Advil, they will see it in the confirmatory test.

Don's Comment
member avatar

Yes, I confess to Advil abuse! JK. Just a couple when necessary for arthritic aches or inflammation. I may try melatonin for sleep, sonce it is indded naturally produced by the body. I admit I jumped the shark a little on the paranoia about some otc meds, but better to be safe that get thrown an unsuspecting curveball during my next DOT physical or random.

As long as you tell them upfront what medications that you take then I don't think that there would be an issue. Also I think that you would have to be taking a substantial amount of these OTCs to throw a positive though

DOT:

Department Of Transportation

A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.

State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
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