
It’s that time of year again when the temperatures cool down in the northern hemisphere. As we leave the heat of summer behind us for this year, it is welcomed with open arms by some who appreciate the changes that are brought by the natural adjustment. Many are inspired to spend extra time outdoors because it’s more comfortable and they enjoy being surrounded by the transition of colors that Mother Nature provides during the changing of the seasons.
Albeit, not everyone can get into the excitement of the cooler season, some for good reasons too. Take health, for example, cooler temps don’t always mean better health. In fact, you may notice that some people are suffering from nasal congestion due to cold symptoms, hay fever, or other upper respiratory allergy symptoms during this season. Those of us who have this problem are coaxed into taking something to relieve the ailment. Personally, I don’t like taking anything that’s going to make me drowsy, especially if I am heading to work. In my experience, feeling drowsy makes a long day go by slower.
If you understand what I’m talking about, chances are you keep up with which “over the counter” (OTC) products can be taken when. That knowledge also helps when it’s time for a drug test. Knowing what not to take (or what you took) before the drug test will help you skip over any chances of getting a false positive. It’s obvious you don’t want to fail a drug test, but even those who don’t do drugs still have a chance of not passing it simply by having normal everyday medicine in their body.
So to help you avoid getting a false positive on your next drug test, I have put together a small list of the common OTC cough, cold & flu, and nasal symptom pain relief medications that could be a problem for you and explain why. It’s a good idea to inform your administrator or employer prior to taking the test so they can rule out the false positives if any (depending on their cutoff levels). If the amount of medication is below the cutoff levels, they most likely won’t even be an issue. However, should you fail, ask them if they would do a confirmation test. According to the Journal of Analytic Toxicology, there are error rates of 5 to 14 percent on the initial tests due to non-prescription medications.
Just to be clear, neither I nor Rapid Detect, Inc is saying these brands and products are bad. Obviously, you can overdose on any medication if more than the recommended dosage is taken within a time period. We highly advise you to consult with your physician before taking any medications. We are just pointing out that some of the ingredients used in making these products can prevent you from passing your test.
- Advil contains Ibuprofen in which can cause false positives for Marijuana. If you take more than the recommended dose per instructions or your doctor, it might send up a red flag.
Bayer Select Maximum Strength Sinus Pain Relief Caplets has been known to cause false positives for Amphetamines while its sister product, Bayer Select Pain Relief Formula could cause false positives for Marijuana if you were to take the iScreen Marijuana Single Panel drug test.
- Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) has a common antihistamine that happens to cause some drowsiness and possibly a false positive for Benzodiazepines or PCP. However, a confirmation test would prove your innocence if your administrator or employer has any doubts.
- Claritin has the active ingredient Loratadine and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate making the test show false positives for Morphine, Methamphetamines, or Ecstasy if you take more than the recommended dosage.
- Mucinex DM contains two key ingredients: dextromethorphan and guaifenesin. Dextromethorphan can cause you to get a false positive for Heroin, Opiates, Morphine on a drug test. Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps thin and loosens mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up the mucus. Mucinex-D extended release tablets contain a combination of guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine (commonly referred to as Sudafed). This is a stimulant that decongests stuffy noses and sinuses by constricting the blood vessels that could show up as an amphetamine when you test for drugs.
- Nasal Sprays (Vicks inhaler, Afrin) on the market today can cause false positives for Amphetamines or Ecstasy. Again, tell your administrator before you take the drug test to avoid possible confusion.
Tavist D consists of multiple generic medications including Phenylpropanolamine making it possible to test positive for Methamphetamine or Ecstasy on a drug test like the iCup Drug Screen 13 panel we have available on our website.
- Tylenol (Acetaminophen) with Codeine, without a doubt, shows up positive for Codeine. However, Tylenol 3 and Tylenol 4 will both show up as Opiates while Tylenol Cold has shown to cause false positives for Amphetamines. Another interesting fact is that if you take Tylenol Simply Sleeps before taking a drug test, chances are that you could show positive for PCP because of the Diphenhydramine. Finally, Tylenol Sinus along with Tylenol Sinus Gelcaps Maximum Strength will show up as false positives for Amphetamines.
- Vicks Inhaler’s (found over the counter) is designed to relieve nasal congestion along with allergies. While they are completely safe, there is an ingredient, called L-Methamphetamine, which will result in positive for Methamphetamine use on a drug test. With that being said, Vicks Nasal Spray can also cause false positives for Methamphetamine or Ecstasy. Vicks Cough Syrup and Vicks Formula 44M are both very useful but could cause false positives for Opiates. Vicks Nyquil contains pseudoephedrine which can show positive as an amphetamine.
One more thing to be concerned about if you take cough syrup of any kind: most liquid medicines that prevent coughing will contain a limited amount of alcohol. If you get tested for alcohol, it could show up depending on the time between you taking the medicine and the drug screen. Alcohol is often a major component of cough syrups and other OTC medications, so it may be a good idea to keep aware of how much alcohol your medications actually do contain. Unfortunately, the laws against driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) cannot distinguish between blood alcohol content (BAC) that comes from drinking alcoholic beverages or from medications. It’s all the same to an Alco-Screen 02 test and in the eyes of the law. Alarmingly, here’s a list of the most commonly used OTC medicines with their alcohol percentage:
Benedryl – 14.0%Benedryl Decongestant – 5.0%Benylin – 5.0%Benylin DM – 5.0%
Expectorant – 4.7% Codimal DM – 4.0% Coltrex – 4.5% Coltrex Expectorant – 4.7% Contact Severe Cold – 25.0% Contrex – 20.0% Daycare – 10.0% Dimetapp – 2.3% Dimetane Decongestant – 2.3% Dr. Drake’s – 2.3% Dristan Cough – 12.0% Dristan Ultra – 25.0% Endotussin NN – 4.0% Formula 44 Cough – 10.0% Formula 44 D – 20.0%
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Halls – 22.0%Head & Chest – 5.0%Mercodol w/ Decaprin – 5.0%Night Relief – 25.0%
Nortussin – 3.5% Nyquil – 10.0% Quiet Nite – 25.0% Robitussin – 3.5 Robitussin AC – 3.5% Robitussin CF – 1.4% Robitussin DAC – 1.4% Robitussin DM – 1.4% Robitussin PE – 1.4% Sudafed Cough Syrup – 2.4% Tolu-Sed – 10.0% Tolu-Sed DM – 10.0% Vicks Cough – 5.0%
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If you prefer, ask your pharmacist or physician about alcohol-free cough medicine as an alternative. They will be able to provide you with more detailed information and suggestions. For your convenience, we have listed some of the most common non-alcoholic cough medicines.
ActifedActifed-CAlupent SyrupChloraseptic
Dilantin Drixoral Efficol Cough Hycodan Syrup Hycomine Syrup Ipsatol Mediquel Naldecon Syrup Naldecon DX Adult
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NoctecNydrazidOmnitussRyna
Sudafed Sudafed Plus Triaminic DM Triaminic Cough and Cold Triaminicol Tussionex Vistaril Suspension Orthoxreal
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We can’t stress enough how important it is that you keep a record of any such medications that may affect your next drug screen. I suggest that you write a list of any medications you are taking prior to providing a sample specimen. That list may serve as a useful reminder should an explanation be required. However, if you need verification, be sure to ask for confirmation by Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). This test is more expensive and you may have to pay for it yourself, but it will confirm or dispute false positives with extreme accuracy.
As the colder season approaches, it will be tempting to take just about any medication that will clear up our sinuses and lungs. There are things that work in moderation, but we can over do it if we aren’t careful. It’s easy when our chests are hurting from all the coughing to just down something that will numb the pain so we can sleep, but is it really worth it? From an employer’s standpoint, if you were in a workplace accident and had to be drug tested, how would the results show if you spent the night before constantly taking OTC cold & flu medicine(s)? Would it be better to take something that didn’t have alcohol? Did you take too much of the medicine that has Ibuprofen? Believe it or not, it all adds up. You can always visit our website for more information on any of our products at www.rapiddetect.com.
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December 2, 2014 at 10:36 am
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April 25, 2016 at 3:24 pm
could you address cough drops please? I’m finding information that states that they can cause false positives for alcohol but I can’t find “reputable” sources. Can you help?
August 11, 2016 at 12:36 pm
Thanks for sharing this extremely informative article on allergic cough. I recently read about breathing problems, preventive measures to control and medication for Asthma on breathefree.com. I found it extremely helpful.
Visit : http://www.breathefree.com/allergic-cough.html
September 20, 2016 at 12:44 pm
I had no clue so much alcohol was on some of these medications. I have been thing alot of these for the past week and a half and have also taken 3 etg test and also have one today. How can I explain to my PO if I fail that it’s been medication?
October 17, 2016 at 1:38 pm
Before any test they should ask if you are taking any medications and THAT is the time to tell them everything your taking.
October 6, 2016 at 9:06 pm
Please tell me if the inhaler symbicort would give a false positive for methanfedimines?????? Im not on drugs!!!! My freedom is on the line!!!!!
October 17, 2016 at 1:39 pm
You would need to check a Cross Reaction Guide (like this one – https://www.rapiddetect.com/cross-reaction-guide-a/274.htm) and make sure non of the medication you are taking is on the list.
October 18, 2016 at 10:38 pm
Will show amphetamine cause my test keeps showing amphetamine in my urine test and I couldn’t figure out why when all I’ve taken is inhalers advil and cold medications and advil for pain , anyway I checked them all and everything I took and take can cause false readings for amphetamines and the one you mentioned !! I was like wtf !!! You would be surprised of all the over the counter medications that are listed that will cause false readings , so you know what you have took around your home , check them all , you’ll be shocked , and some granola bars even have ingredients that cause false readings on pee drug tests , hope this answered a lot of peoples questions and concerns , I still am shocked from lots that I take daily as to why every Dr . visit I test positive for the amphetamines !!! Cause its in almost every thing I have here , and even in the granola bars, its a wonder I haven’t od’ end . but I wrote them all down and will be taking that list to my Dr. Tomorrow !!! Good luck everyone , again I hope this helped .
January 14, 2017 at 1:58 am
I was wondering if Nyquil alcohol-free liquid medication could make someone fail a UA. My husband has to take one towards the end of the month and has a really bad head cold. Do you know if any of the ingredients in the cough syrup could cause him to fail it? I asked the pharmacist at CVS and she said he should be alright, but didn’t seem all to sure about it.
January 23, 2017 at 4:27 pm
We recommend checking the “ingredients” to make sure they are not on our “Cross-Reaction Reference Guide” if they are it will tell you if it is “Non-reactive” or positive for a certain drug that is tested.
February 11, 2017 at 7:46 pm
This was eye opening thank you so much
June 29, 2017 at 5:34 am
I’m very concerned but thankful you all posted. I have MS & sever pain thus; I am a patient who goes to pain treatment. I take a light to moderate amount of pain meds so it’s nothing like a person with cancer would take. Just so happens, I got very sick with a virus. Tuesday was horrible & I’ve been taking a CVS severe cold & flu liquid. It has that dex drug in it. I was feeling more awake which at first seemed ok & then I didn’t like that by tonight so I looked up the ingredients & find people actually get high or fail drug tests perhaps from over the counter. I thought those drugs you had to sign for so I’d never asked for those. Anyway, I have a test in the morning most likely for my regular appt.. I’m very worried this will make them think I’ve done something wrong at my age over 50. People my age likely do things too but I don’t do anything & never did but am very worried now.
October 3, 2017 at 12:49 pm
I need to know if plain Guaifenesin 400mg will cause a false positive on a drug test. Your article addresses it with pseudoephedrine or dextromethorphan, but not by itself. I gave it to my daughter because it was not on the specifically excluded list but now I am worried. She is in a rehab program and I do not want to do anything to mess her up.
October 3, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Check here to see if any medications are known to cause false positives – https://www.rapiddetect.com/cross-reaction-reference-guide-s/466.htm
October 20, 2017 at 5:04 pm
I tested for alcohol level. Of 0.032 after taken formula 44d and have not drank in years is this. Possible
January 19, 2018 at 3:37 pm
The chloraseptic spray ive been using for 11 days made me test positive for alcahol..why? There is alcahol in it but didnt think enough to cause a positive.
September 7, 2018 at 4:18 am
I appreciate it when you explained that ibuprofen can cause a false positive for marijuana if taken more than the required dosage, so the person needs to be careful. The company will be having a drug test soon, so it got me worried. I am currently taking ibuprofen for my toothache, and I am required to take it twice a day. Will it show in the drug test?
December 28, 2018 at 6:56 pm
I’ve been taking NyQuil for the past 7 days I’m to be a drug blood test . Will this show up on my blood test. I am female 215 lbs. I’m in a drug intervention program for abusing Norco. I’m really scared that taking NyQuil will show as a positive.
January 3, 2019 at 4:34 pm
Very helpful but nobody’s going to believe me