question about drug testing

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi there!

I'm new to this site, and I love reading everyone's advice and personal stories! :)

I just had a quick question, and it may be obvious, just wanted some advice.

For the past 2 or 3 months, my doctor has put me on adipex (phentermine) for weight loss. It has regulated my blood pressue and I have lost 20 pounds! GO ME!

I have heard from several people, including my mother, that this drug will cause opiates to show up in your drug screen/test. Same as poppyseeds? I found that odd, but they said it was true.

My question is, if I know this drug is in my system, do I disclose it before a drug test? I have proof that this prescription was written, both from my doctor, along with the bottle it comes in, with my name, etc. on it. Is this all I will need? I'm not sure how to go about this.

I am doing my CNA I now, as it is a requirement for consideration into the RN program at my community college. Our instructor told us that we will be drug tested 2 weeks prior to doing our clinical. I have never smoked anything or done any drugs but this is stressing me out after hearing about this opiates thing! :confused:

PLEASE HELP!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Acute Rehab.

it will not show up as an opiate, but as an amphetamine. as long as you have a legal prescription for this drug, you should be just fine.

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I imagine that you will be asked to list all medications you are on when you are drug tested, at least they did at my facility. I wouldn't worry about it if it is a legit prescription :)

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Great, that's what I was thinking. As long as I make it known and make sure they know it's legit, then I should be fine. Thanks a bunch:yeah:

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Some facilities do not ask your medication history before the drug screen, but instead have the independent medical officer contact you if something shows up as positive. The IMO asks for the Rx verification either via a consent to contact your MD or pharmacy or copies of the Rx label. If it matches the result, then the result is returned to the employer/school as clean.

This is the way drug screens were handled in my school. Quest did not want to take any medication history information at the time of the test. One classmate that had a positive for a legitimate Rx was called by the IMO for verification/clarification.

The only positives that would not be explainable would be heroin, cocaine, etc.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Some people say wait until it shows then show proof. Personally, I would let them (the lab) know from the get go and show proof. It is supposed to just be between you and the lab. They only report whether you passed or not to keep confidentiality to my understanding.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

They told me to bring all Rx, but only asked "Is there anything I should know?" while filling out the paper.

And they do an instant onsite test, so the opportunity to disclose would be immediate in case of a FAIL

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

Yes it's between you and he drug testing place. They will contact you if something comes up and require verification of legal Rx. They cannot tell the employer anything except that it's either negative or positive. In your case the lab should send that you are negative. It's all about confidentiality ... if anyone has had the drug testing place disclose their medications to the employer when the meds were legal with a verified Rx then the drug testing company did a big bad no no and you have recourse.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Side note: Poppy seeds don't cause a positive opiate reading, unless you eat oodles of them. I know this from personal experience of having a drug test right after eating a poppy seed muffin...

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Specializes in Psych, CD, HIV/AIDS, Complex Medical CM.
Side note: Poppy seeds don't cause a positive opiate reading, unless you eat oodles of them. I know this from personal experience of having a drug test right after eating a poppy seed muffin...

Not necessarily so:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) conducted a study that examined the results of 317,500 urine specimens that were tested for opiates and reviewed by three Medical Review Officer (MRO) groups, as well as 1.1 million specimens from five certified laboratories. The MRO's reportedly reversed 87% of all the positive urinalysis test results due to false positives attributed to poppy seed ingestion, prescription medication, or other reasons.

http://www.thecocklebur.com/criminal-law/imprisoned-for-consuming-poppy-seed-bagel

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

:ancong!: on the weight loss!

Adipex is an amphetamine.....it will NEVER show as an opiate. But you should disclose prescription meds ahead of time....many facilities ask on the questionnaire prior to testing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phentermine

Good Luck

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I heard of a small private hospital that did a random drug screen one evening....whole shift tested positive :eek: One of the staff members brought in a lemon poppy seed cake to share with everyone.

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