Does taking Sudafed show positive for meth?

KellNY, RN · Mar 8, 2007

Found this:

Also, various drug tests will identify the presence of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, prescribed medications, and some foods that are chemically related to drugs of abuse. Historic examples include the amphetamine-related OTC drugs phenylpropanolamine and ephedrine registering an amphetamine test as positive

Could just as easily be a load of BS. You need to look at other factors too though, before coming to any conclusions (meth users often have certain physical characteristics and hx of MJ use). If she's in the hospital for the "long term", you could do another Utox because it clears in 2 days. That would at least tell you if she was using while in the hospital--or taking anything else as a substitute.

CRNI-ICU20 · Mar 8, 2007

occasional sudafed users:

no needle tracks...no twitching....no rotting teeth....no muscle wasting....

usually keep up their appearance....etc.

meth:

twitchin....chronic asytigmatism....poor focus/conversations....usually have needle tracks or ulcerations on their skin, or around their nose or mouth....very poor dentition....usually missing alot of teeth...not uncommon to see all their teeth gone!....usually very very thin....all their labs will be really off...particularly kidney and liver enzymes...and sometimes high CPK's

arrythmias that are chronic....usually have co-committant addictions...like smoking, drinking, occ. marajuana use....usually very unkept...greasy hair...or all their hair is starting to fall out....in late stage use, their skin will resemble skin of a hepatic failure patient....their veins will be like hard pipes...poor IV stick...and they usually scream and cry exponentially when you start an IV...(ironic!)...you might see needle tracks between toes...under the tongue...back of the legs in the popliteal area.....

you may smell an acrid cat pee smell on their clothing or on them....this means they live in the house where this crap is made...

they have very poor social skills....they will lie about everything....this drug is more addictive than heroin and ten times more available and cheap...

one year of meth abuse will age a person ten to fifteen years...

and this isn't just outward appearance....this is actual aging of major organs of the body! a "mether" will steal from your pockets, your purse, your nursing supply drawers to support their habit....

They have high potential for violence, and can have super human strength when high.....they are usually HepB+....and carry many other sexually transmitted diseases...ie, clamydia, syphlis, gonnorhea, and herpes....

They have multiple casual sex partners....this drug is purported to enhance sexual experience....so it's not uncommon for a mether to be up for days and have 20 or 30 encounters...and most they time they are not aware of who they've been with....HIV....YES!

When a mether is hospitalized, they will invite their 20 best friends and 15 second cousins twice removed to "visit" them....sometimes a few show up...

depends on the moment...

sometimes these 'friends' carry weaponry....no kidding...

never place yourself in a corner where you have no exit out of the room with these people....they can go off on you without provocation...

I hope this helped...and I hope you stay safe....

Many methers never quit using....it is one of the hardest drugs to quit....and to rehab out of....it is highly addictive and toxic....

most die within 4 years from the onset of use....it's sad.

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Mar 8, 2007

Our lab sends out to get confirmation of positive drug tests. That way we find out exactly what was in the specimen. They have to get that if there is going to be any CPS involvement. I have seen patients as described in the previous post, but they don't all look like that. That's why we do UDS's on all moms with hx of drug use, as well as their babies.We also test preterm babies, 35 wks or less, and we also do meconium testing, especially if mom was pos and baby negative.

justme1972 · Mar 8, 2007

My Psychology Professor is a substance abuse counselor. He brought in a few people with mental illnesses to tell their stories to our class.

One guy was a former meth addict, he was 4 years clean, but it had taken it's toll on him to the point he suffered irreversable brain damage. Now he has hallucinations, etc that are not drug related. His teeth were almost gone. He spoke clearly, but very slowly. It was so sad.

After the presentation, I realized it was a guy that I knew from high school. I was floored at how much he had changed. Wasn't even the same guy.

Ilovemyprofession · Mar 8, 2007

occasional sudafed users:
no needle tracks...no twitching....no rotting teeth....no muscle wasting....
usually keep up their appearance....etc.
meth:
twitchin....chronic asytigmatism....poor focus/conversations....usually have needle tracks or ulcerations on their skin, or around their nose or mouth....very poor dentition....usually missing alot of teeth...not uncommon to see all their teeth gone!....usually very very thin....all their labs will be really off...particularly kidney and liver enzymes...and sometimes high CPK's
arrythmias that are chronic....usually have co-committant addictions...like smoking, drinking, occ. marajuana use....usually very unkept...greasy hair...or all their hair is starting to fall out....in late stage use, their skin will resemble skin of a hepatic failure patient....their veins will be like hard pipes...poor IV stick...and they usually scream and cry exponentially when you start an IV...(ironic!)...you might see needle tracks between toes...under the tongue...back of the legs in the popliteal area.....
you may smell an acrid cat pee smell on their clothing or on them....this means they live in the house where this crap is made...
they have very poor social skills....they will lie about everything....this drug is more addictive than heroin and ten times more available and cheap...
one year of meth abuse will age a person ten to fifteen years...
and this isn't just outward appearance....this is actual aging of major organs of the body! a "mether" will steal from your pockets, your purse, your nursing supply drawers to support their habit....
They have high potential for violence, and can have super human strength when high.....they are usually HepB+....and carry many other sexually transmitted diseases...ie, clamydia, syphlis, gonnorhea, and herpes....
They have multiple casual sex partners....this drug is purported to enhance sexual experience....so it's not uncommon for a mether to be up for days and have 20 or 30 encounters...and most they time they are not aware of who they've been with....HIV....YES!
When a mether is hospitalized, they will invite their 20 best friends and 15 second cousins twice removed to "visit" them....sometimes a few show up...
depends on the moment...
sometimes these 'friends' carry weaponry....no kidding...
never place yourself in a corner where you have no exit out of the room with these people....they can go off on you without provocation...
I hope this helped...and I hope you stay safe....
Many methers never quit using....it is one of the hardest drugs to quit....and to rehab out of....it is highly addictive and toxic....
most die within 4 years from the onset of use....it's sad.

These outward physical appearances are not always the case for all meth users. I worked in a rehablilitation center for 4 years and it is very surprising. I have seen everyday people come in for tx of meth with none of those signs. Even the heaviest users of them. Many were even high ranked professionals...well groomed ....etc.

piperglen · Mar 9, 2007

Just finished up psych lectures and learned that one of the biggest groups of meth users are soccer moms for the energy boost. Who wouldv'e guessed. I am sure they hide the effects very well. Keeping up appearances is very important for some. Nasty drug. Went to a juvenile detention facility for peds rotation. All boys ages 12 -18. All 40 boys that listened to our presentation were meth users, also DXM (cough medicine) , pot, everything you can imagine.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2007

I'd think you'd have to be taking a lot of Sudafed to come up positive for meth.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 9, 2007

I have never seen it. And I agree, you cannot generalize meth users. I have seen some very "clean" soccer moms who woooops, used a little meth. It's all over the place, sadly.

I would like to see EVERYone drug screened, not for punishment, but for the baby's sake, and treatment, if possible. I mean every single person we see, not just the ones who seem suspicious.

MemphisOBRNC, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2007

I had a patient this week that came in with a fetal demise. She was a complete abruption that was concealed. All labs were totally screwed up. No edema, liver enzymes all elevated, platelets fell to