Ephedrine on drug screen

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

My Son in law recently was offered a job with a local city. He went for his physical and drug screen. He was supposed to start the following monday. Then he was initially told that they were waiting for hos tox screen results then he could start. After 2 weeks of run around they then stated that his drug screen showed ephedrine. They told hom they were waiting for a ruling from the doctor who ran the employee physicals. After another week they withdrew the job offer saying that this was considered a failed drug screen.

The boy takes Claritin-D for his allergies. This is neither a prescription med nor is it illegal. I had no idea what to tell him or my daughter. To me it just seems ridiculious. Has anyone else heard of this?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
My Son in law recently was offered a job with a local city. He went for his physical and drug screen. He was supposed to start the following monday. Then he was initially told that they were waiting for hos tox screen results then he could start. After 2 weeks of run around they then stated that his drug screen showed ephedrine. They told hom they were waiting for a ruling from the doctor who ran the employee physicals. After another week they withdrew the job offer saying that this was considered a failed drug screen.

The boy takes Claritin-D for his allergies. This is neither a prescription med nor is it illegal. I had no idea what to tell him or my daughter. To me it just seems ridiculious. Has anyone else heard of this?

Hello, babynurselsa,

Sorry about your SIL.

Yes, pseudoephedrine can cause false positives for amphetamines/ectasy.

The test that they did on your SIL was to initially screen. They should run a second one to rule out false positives. You might have him ask if they did this.

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Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

They apparently specifically told him he tested positive for ephedrine. Think this was on a confirmation test?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
They apparently specifically told him he tested positive for ephedrine. Think this was on a confirmation test?

Hello, babynurselsa,

They may or may not have done the second test. I would tell your SIL to find out.

I guess they consider that (drug) against their policy. Did he declare that he was taking ClaritanD?

Even the Olympics and some major league sports teams have provided for the individual taking products with this, but, it is an abused drug.

I am sorry this happened. He may not be able to fight it.

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Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

I fully realize the ephedrine problem with all of the meth labs busted daily. I just couldn't believe that this failed him a drug test for a job. It just wasn't something I had thought about.

After a 3 week runaround by this city(with no job, and no pay) First it was "we are checking on it" then they quit returning his call. He finally told them where they could put their job. He has his 3rd interview for another job Monday. Keeping my fingers crossed. I know he is a good kid and not into anything illicit. He is a little spoiled and immature but most are in their early 20's.

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