Answers to Medical Q&A

© 1999-2001
STAT America
All Rights Reserved

Important Questions, Interesting Answers

Question:
 My doctor told me that a Vicks Inhaler can cause a positive drug test.  Is this true?
Answer:
 One specific type of the Vicks Inhaler can cause an initial positive result. However, a properly reviewed result will result in an additional test called a d & l fractionation. The results of this additional test reveal to the Medical Review Officer an accurate indication of whether the result was caused by the use of this particular over-the-counter product. All positive results reported by STAT America have been reviewed and confirmed by one of our certified Medical Review Officers (MRO's).



Question:

One of my human resources employees brought me an article posted on the internet that listed the following products as effective in protecting drug abusers from testing positive: Clear Choice Herbal Detox Tea, Quick Tabs, Naturally Klean Herbal Tea, Test Pure, Test Clean, Ready-Clean, THC terminator drink, Detoxify Carbo Clean, and Quick Flush Capsules and Tea.  Do these products really work? 

Answer:
 None of these products interfere with assays, but because they are taken with large quantities of water, the urine may be somewhat diluted.


Question:
 A friend of mine said she tested positive for marijuana but had only been around others that had smoked it. Is this possible?
Answer:
 Several studies indicate that a positive test result for marijuana conducted at a 50 ng/ml (or higher) cutoff level via immuno-assay screening and confirmed by gc/ms confirmation is highly unlikely to be caused by passive inhalation alone.


Question:
 I severely sprained my ankle and took a few of my husbands Tylenol 3 tablets with codeine to alleviate the pain. Is it true that I might test positive for drugs?
Answer:
 Codeine is an opiate metabolite and sufficient ingestion may cause a positive test for opiates. Under most circumstances, it is considered illicit use of drugs to ingest prescription medications originally prescribed for another individual.


Question:
 My sister says that there are almost 100 legitimate prescription drugs that can cause a positive drug test. Is this true?
Answer:
 There are more than 100 prescription medications that can cause an initial positive drug result.  Therefore, it is essential that all drug-screening programs include the services of a qualified Medical Review Officer to confirm the legitimate use of prescription drugs and to protect the individual rights of the donor. All positive results reported by STAT America have been reviewed and confirmed by one of our certified Medical Review Officers (MRO's).


Question:

I read that ibuprofen can cause a positive test for marijuana. Is this right?

Answer:
 At one time there were concerns that ibuprofen may, in some cases, cause a "false positive" test result for marijuana. The issue of cross-reactivity between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and marijuana is generally resolved in the scientific community.


Question:
I smoke marijuana once or twice a day. A friend told me that if I stopped smoking today I might still test positive two weeks from now. Is this true?
Answer:
 Marijuana metabolites are stored in the body's fat cells. "Chronic" users may test positive for several weeks after stopping use of marijuana.  "Casual" users may test positive for one to three days from the day of last use.


Question:
 Our company is thinking of testing for alcohol along with drugs. Can we have the laboratory test urine for both drugs and alcohol?
Answer:
 Yes, many laboratories have the ability to test for quantities of alcohol in urine. However, alcohol levels in urine are not reliable indicators of intoxication or even consumption. Therefore, STAT America does not recommend testing for alcohol in the urine.


Question:
 One of my friends told me she had to give a hair sample for a pre-employment drug test. Can a laboratory really test hair for drugs?
Answer:
 Hair testing for the presence of drugs is an emerging technology. Some testing facilities have had difficulties utilizing this technology with the same degree of accuracy as is typically obtained at most urinalysis laboratories. When conducted properly, this type of testing can reveal evidence of drug use over significantly longer time frame than is capable with urinalysis testing. For more information about this technology contact STAT America at 1-888-644-STAT.


Question:

We were talking at lunch the other day and the question came up about our drug-testing program. What prevents someone from bringing another persons urine to a collection facility in order to pass a test?

Answer:
 Outside of directly observed collections, there is no way to assure that specimens are absolutely that of the person acting as the donor. However several steps are routinely taken at collection facilities to significantly reduce the chance of this happening. STAT America directs all our collection facilities to monitor the temperature of the specimens to assure that the temperature of each specimen falls within the strict temperature ranges consistent with freshly discharged human urine.


Question:

I have heard that consuming lots of poppy seeds can cause a positive test for heroin. Is this true? I eat a poppyseed muffin everyday for breakfast, is it true that I might test positive for opiates?

Answer:
 Poppy seeds contain sufficient amounts of morphine to produce detectable concentrations of morphine and codeine in urine. But a test may be considered a positive for heroin, both legally and scientifically only if heroin, or its metabolite momoacetylmorphine (6-mam), is identified in the urine specimen. This result cannot be caused by consuming poppy seeds.  This determination can only be made by a Medical Review Officer pursuant to an analysis by gc/ms for 6-mam or heroin. All positive results reported by STAT America have been reviewed and confirmed by one of our certified Medical Review Officers (MRO's).


DISCLAIMER

The above information is intended to provide STAT America clients with STAT America's understanding of some of the commonly asked questions relating to substance abuse testing. Laws and regulations relating to substance abuse testing are subject to change.  This information is not to be construed as legal or medical advice or opinion.  STAT America clients are advised to consult with legal counsel in the implementation of all aspects of their substance abuse programs.