I tested positive for benzo and i do not take benzo help

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi Nurses,

pleASE help...i did a urine drug test yesterday for a new job and tested positive for benzodiazepam...i have never taken that in my entire life and i dont do drugs of any kind.

i am currently taking bactrim ds for a foot infection and thought that the antibiotcs has to be the cause. they told me the lab would call me and then ask me for the pharmacy info

i called the pharmacist today about the BACTRIM DS ALSO CALLED SULFAMETH/ TMP DS. HE SAID hes not aware of that causing a positive drug test.

i looked on the internet last night and found 1 article that states bactrim causes positive result for benzo

HELP I AM HURT BECAUSE I AM INNOCENT

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I'm sorry this happened to you. There's nothing a bunch of strangers on the internet can do for you, unfortunately. Nor will anecdotal stories about other such screwups mean anything to the lab or your potential employer.

Good luck and I hope you get it worked out.

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Get a lawyer and I am rooting for you.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

It's benzodiazepine, not benzodiazepam. Diazepam is Valium, which happens to be a benzodiazepine annd would cause a positive test result.

All I can suggest is that you provide them with a list of every single medication you are taking, including prescription as well as herbals and OTC. You may also want to look into a lawyer if you are truly innocent. Providing internet articles likely won't help your cause unless those articles are from a reputable source such as a drug guide or journal...and even then their validity may be questioned.

In the end it's your employer's decision as to what to do about this test result. Good luck.

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THANKS for trying to help......i take nothing except for the bactrim. it was a new job i was suppose to start in 2 weeks...if they dont hire me because of a false result thats ok too...but i am still hurt

i am the type that will rarely take any meds given to me and the only reason i took the bactrim is because of the foot infection

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

You've taken nothing but Bactrim for the past month? Most benzos are out of the system in a few days, but sometimes weird things happen. I would go back a month and list EVERYTHING you've taken.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych, Tele, ICU.

Sorry that this happened to you. Was it a rapid drug screen that was positive, and that was then sent off for confirmation? The confirmation may be negative. The MRO is trained to figure out the weird drug screen results.

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it was a urine test and it was read right away......she did say she will send it to the lab...i hope they test it

do you think they will do further testing and be able to tell?

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You've taken nothing but Bactrim for the past month? Most benzos are out of the system in a few days, but sometimes weird things happen. I would go back a month and list EVERYTHING you've taken.

i started bactrim jan 20, 2011 its suppose to be for 10 days thATS IT I HAVE NOTHING ELSE that i am taking

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It's benzodiazepine, not benzodiazepam. Diazepam is Valium, which happens to be a benzodiazepine annd would cause a positive test result.

All I can suggest is that you provide them with a list of every single medication you are taking, including prescription as well as herbals and OTC. You may also want to look into a lawyer if you are truly innocent. Providing internet articles likely won't help your cause unless those articles are from a reputable source such as a drug guide or journal...and even then their validity may be questioned.

In the end it's your employer's decision as to what to do about this test result. Good luck.

thanks for the correction i am just stresses because i am innocent but if i dont get the job..i can live with that its only hard to live with being falsely accused by a test

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Take a deep breath. It sounds like perhaps they are running a confirmation that may test out negative. And if it does show positive, the company may still be okay with a re-test. If the confirmation is positive and the company withdraws the offer without any opportunity to clear things up, then cross that bridge when you get there.

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Sorry that this happen to you and I hope they come to the conclusion of a retest that you are innocent. Good luck!

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