Published Jan 28, 2011
Cat_RN, ASN, BSN, RN
298 Posts
Does anyone know if Adderal (amphetamine salts) is something that's generally prohibited in a drug test for employment? I am prescribed 15mg ER daily but I only take it a few times a week. The amphetamine would likely show up in the test, yes? Does the test differentiate between METHamphetamine?? That would not be good to show up on a pre-employment screen!
Does anyone feel a potential employer is going to be suspicious of this? I'm nervous now.. I have a job right now but I've been thinking of moving on to some place else..
WSU_Ally_RN, BSN, RN
459 Posts
Just make sure you take your valid prescription bottle, and maybe a note from the prescribing MD with you for the drug screen and you should be fine.
KarmaWiseRaven
251 Posts
That's why before a Drug Test they ask you are you on anything. At that time list what you are taking. It's non of their biz why your taking it just list it as one of the Meds you are taking they should be fine with that.If they are not then the job is not worth having. These are my thoughts use them as you wish
RNTOBE_1970
114 Posts
its actually against DOT guidelines to ask. No one is to even make copies of your Rx. If your drug screen has a non negative result, the MRO is responsible for gathering that information and validating it.
FLmomof5
1,530 Posts
My son took Adderall. I used to drug test my kids when they were in HS. It always tested positive for methamphetamines. (Even after mailing it into the lab.)
Your employer should be told of all amphetamine use (ritalin, adderall, etc....) with prescription to show you have a valid reason for taking this medication.
ObtundedRN, BSN, RN
428 Posts
DOT? As in dept. of transportation? I'm not sure this is a correct statement. When I started working in EMS, part of my hiring paperwork included a health questionnaire. All of our health info was handled by the agency's occupational health nurse. I'm pretty sure it asked for any meds being taken. And considering this was a governmental agency, I would think employment paperwork was all approved by attorneys.
Popwhizbangz, LPN
115 Posts
I've been looking into the false-positive issue in the context of urine drug testing for someone else, and from what I've seen it seems 1) that many many medications, herbals, etc, can cause false positives, and 2) more advanced testing can, at least some of the time, prove those false positives to be false. HR folks I've dealt with over the years have seemed quite motivated to avoid accusations and legal liability, so I'd have to guess (very much a guess) that a well-documented and vetted source of a false positive, and a firm request for confirmatory labwork if the need turns up, would often protect you rather well. Especially given just how common prescriptions for Adderal and the like have become.