A bizarre question

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

I'm sick right now with a fever and severe sore throat/earache. I went to the doctor today and strep was negative but the NP said it could be paraflu since it's going around my work. The only thing that helps is 800mg of ibuprofen. Last night I took one (or what I thought was one). I went to take another one today but as I pulled it out of the bottle I realized I was holding a much smaller pill than what an 800mg is. I looked up the #s on it and it was a vicodin (I obviously didn't take it, I put it back in the bottle)!! I looked at the bottle and saw it was my fiance's old prescription bottle of vicodin that had ibuprofen mixed in. Now I'm not sure if I took a vicodin or ibuprofen last night. I was so out of it from pain and exhaustion (it was 4am) that I don't think I would've realized the difference. However, percocet makes me REALLY itchy to the point where I can't take it (or any narcs really) and though I've never had vicodin I'm thinking it would probably do the same thing.

My whole point to this is that I have two interviews coming up. If they drug test me, what happens? Am I screwed? Would they even believe me (I realize this sounds weird)? I would be devastated to miss out on my dream career opportunity because of a stupid mistake like this! I would absolutely take a polygraph or whatever they needed me to, but it's just such a weird story that I'm afraid they wouldn't believe me.

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How long till the drugs tests? Did you only take one of the "incorrect" type of pill? I dont know if this is the best site to figure that out. You might try googling other sites that might have more information about the half life of drugs and how long till they don't appear on drug tests.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.
How long till the drugs tests? Did you only take one of the "incorrect" type of pill? I dont know if this is the best site to figure that out. You might try googling other sites that might have more information about the half life of drugs and how long till they don't appear on drug tests.

Not sure if either hospital drug tests or if I'll even get an interview offer. Just can't help worrying LOL, I really want to work in the ED. Yes, it was just one pill (if at all, not sure whether it was ibuprofen or vicodin...hoping it was just ibuprofen!)

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

Google half life & how long it takes to get out of your system. I'm sure you're fine. Even if you have a few interviews coming up, chances are they won't give you a drug test for a few weeks following that when they give you a decision as to whether you got the job. They never give drug tests during an interview unless you get the job on the spot.

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You should be fine. I wouldnt worry too much.

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It's half life is around 4 hours... it should be out of your system within the week depending on your metabolism.

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You won't be drug tested until after a job offer, which isn't likely to happen during the initial interview. No worries.

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Specializes in icu, recovery room.

I agree with the above comments. The half-life is 4 hours. One pill will not even register much in a drug test. Certain foods even cause a change in drug testing. The drug test will be after you are hired.

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Specializes in Intermediate care.

1) tell your SO that he shouldn't be mixing pills in a bottle :)

2) they shouldn't drug test you unless they hire you. They are expensive to do. So you'll have a while for it to get out of your system.

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Specializes in Intermediate care.

Its just a small amount as well.

Tell them you ate poppy seed muffin for breakfast :) Eating poppy seed muffins can turn an opiate drug test +

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Employers seldom hire at the interview. Sometimes they don't hire for weeks afterward. Then even after they hire, sometimes it takes time for the drug test to happen. Put the worry out of your mind about the pill.

About the poppy seed thing. That's a myth. You'd have to eat LOTS of poppy seed for any to show as opiate on a drug test. I'm living proof of it. I was going to see a client and stopped at a restaurant for lunch. My sandwich was covered with poppy seeds. I'd say there were over a tablespoon of seeds on it. Then, between the restaurant and the client's home I got into an accident. Since I was on company time I had to have a drug test. This was about 2 hours after I ate. It showed nothing. I asked the person doing the testing about the poppy seed worry. She said it's just a myth, unless you eat bundles of them.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Not sure if either hospital drug tests or if I'll even get an interview offer. Just can't help worrying LOL, I really want to work in the ED. Yes, it was just one pill (if at all, not sure whether it was ibuprofen or vicodin...hoping it was just ibuprofen!)

You should be fine. The half life is about 4 hours. Even though most facilities drug test it won't be during your interiew. They aren't looking to bust the one vicodan a week ago.......they are interested in something a little more chronic. Don't creep out and mention the possibility that you might have possibly taken a vicodan instead of ibuprofen.........have faith that it is long gone even as we speak............GOOD LUCK!!!:hug:

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