HIV+ student concerned about drug testing while taking Marinol

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I've been accepted into a nursing program here in Portland, OR, and am a little nervous about the drug test. I have had HIV for over 20 years and, while in perfect health, I take Marinol ( pot in a pill) nightly to counter the effects of Atrilpla. It doesn't give me a high or a thrill, it just settles my stomach and keeps me from having dreams that disturb my sleep. If/when I test positive, will showing my prescription to the school be enough to clear my name, or is there a chance that I will be discriminated against due to the HIV? Is Marinol considered an acceptable reason to test positive? It's not like medical marijuana, in that there is no smoking involved. I have drug tested previously for jobs in different fields, with a positive result, and showing my prescription has always sufficed, but I am unsure as to how this would work for nursing school and nursing in general. I'm afraid to go to the school and disclose my HV status, as I really don't know if the HIV will stigmatize me, but I will need to disclose the Marinol use if the test is positive. Disclosing Marinol use to counteract Atripla side-effects is tantamount to disclosure of my HIV infection, as Artipla is only used for HIV infection, and I assume that nurses and nursing teachers know this. I've worked long and hard to get here and can't imaging having to step away from my dreams due to a prescription. Would it be better to lay off the Marinol till after the test and, if so, how long should I go without it to ensure a negative test. Any feedback is welcomed! :uhoh3:

OP - You can't be discriminated against for being HIV +. I understand you not wanting to disclose your status. I have a friend who is HIV + and his family doesn't even know. I understand the kind of reaction you get from people. Many people are quite ignorant about the virus, so I completely understand why you wouldn't want to go through that hassle, and you don't need to.

Disclose the meds you are on before the drug test. Be honest up front. And contact the BON to make sure you won't have a problem with getting your license.

Good luck to you and stay strong!

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Thanks for the input...and, no, I would never lay off or change anything about my meds based on anonymous advice. I ♥ my doctor and together we take very good care of me. That said, the Marinol is just for comfort, not theraputically "necessary," so I'll call the BON again today...hopefully they will set my mind at ease.

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And you're 32?

Maybe that's her fake age?

Or she had him at about 6.

Hehe.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

OK everyone can we all step back here and put things in focus.

Please do not tell anyone to lie on their testing or application, this is something we hate to see here on allnurses and posts will be deleted if seen or reported to staff. Testing is there for a reason and trying to find ways around the test is not fair on yourself, colleagues and patients.

I am reopening the thread but any further posts on how to beat the test will result in the thread being permanently closed.

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I spoke with the Oregon BON and was advised that the schools individually set their requirements for drug testing and that taking Marinol per a doctors orders should not be considered grounds for non-acceptance or elimination from the nursing program. Thank you all for your advice and I will be contacting my school to discuss the ramifications of the Marinol.

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Specializes in LDRP.
I think medical marijuana and marinol are two different things.

Marinol was developed as a way to get the benefits of marijuana without the intoxicating side effect.

A bit like the difference between foxglove and digitalis, or between periwinkle and vincristine.

Don't think I've ever seen a real legal opinion on the question, though. It's an interesting question.

Meanwhile, while the ADA would prevent outright discrimination based on a chronic illness ... the reality is that the prejudice is still there.

I'd be a lot more worried about privacy issues, myself.

I know this, but it will show up in a drug test as positive for THC, and there is no way of knowing if it is from the Marinol or from marijuana. Therefore, I believe the same rules would apply to Marinol as they would to medical marijuana.

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I would 1.Disclose the Marinol to the drug testing site/Dr NOT the school unless it becomes necessary 2. Keep my status to myself. People can be lovely and caring but they can also be vicious haters. Nursing school is hard enough without extra drama. Leave them out of all of your personal business as much as possible. Learning that now will serve you well in your professional life :)

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I would 1.Disclose the Marinol to the drug testing site/Dr NOT the school unless it becomes necessary 2. Keep my status to myself. People can be lovely and caring but they can also be vicious haters. Nursing school is hard enough without extra drama. Leave them out of all of your personal business as much as possible. Learning that now will serve you well in your professional life :)

I agree with this post. Even the most innocent of personal information can be held against you.

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Just call OBON.

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Thanks for the input. Another big question I have is whether Marinol is considered medical marijuana or if smoking is the focus of the medical use of pot. I know that Marinol is THC only, without the cannabanoids, so it may or may not be considered "marijuana." Either way, you are probably right...a pos test is a pos test, and that's a big chance to take. Any ideas on how long I should go without Marinol to test negative?[/quote']

Marinol is not the same as a "pot card".

Marinol is a pill manufactured by a licensed pharmceutical company and may be prescribed in states which do not permit medical marijuana. A positive test is a positive test UNTIL you have a legitimate prescription for a licensed drug.

I've done a lot of drug testing in the PDX area in the last couple years, both as a recipient and the person collecting them.

The 'usual' drill is that you will do the test, the person/entity collecting it will NOT be permitted to take any prescription information. If a test is positive it is forwarded for medical review. Someone (usually a doc) will call you to talk about any meds you are on and will have you fax either a copy of the current prescription(s), a print out from your pharmacy or a copy of the label on your prescription bottle. It's important that what you fax NOT be dated after the date of the test. Once the info is received the test results will be reported to the requesting entity as 'negitive'.

Be sure to put a good phone number on your contact info, if they can't reach you or you take to long to call back they won't be able to clear your results.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

FWIW, nobody can really answer your question about how long it would remain in your system, anyway. I'm a nursing student, but I am also in charge of the outpatient lab I work in in the evening. Drug screens are our bread and butter. Everybody's metabolism is different.

I agree with everyone who says to let the testing site know- they should be able to append a comment about the medication you are taking. Sounds like you have everything under control and I sure hope you don't have any problems.

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Specializes in Junior Year of BSN.
Marinol is not the same as a "pt card".

Marinol is a pill manufactured by a licensed pharmceutical company and may be prescribed in states which do not permit medical marijuana. A positive test is a positive test UNTIL you have a legitimate prescription for a licensed drug.

I've done a lot of drug testing in the PDX area in the last couple years, both as a recipient and the person collecting them.

The 'usual' drill is that you will do the test, the person/entity collecting it will NOT be permitted to take any prescription information. If a test is positive it is forwarded for medical review. Someone (usually a doc) will call you to talk about any meds you are on and will have you fax either a copy of the current prescription(s), a print out from your pharmacy or a copy of the label on your prescription bottle. It's important that what you fax NOT be dated after the date of the test. Once the info is received the test results will be reported to the requesting entity as 'negitive'.

Be sure to put a good phone number on your contact info, if they can't reach you or you take to long to call back they won't be able to clear your results.

This is correct. At my last job I was a drug test coordinator and took the DOT standard class for drug testing. You DO NOT have to disclose prescription information when taking the drug test. If there is a positive result the MRO (medical review officer) will contact the patient and ask for a prescription or physician letter stating the reason for a positive test sample.

This website is the official DOT standards as an employees drug test and can provide you with further information:

http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/employee.html

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