phentermine/drug test

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I was randomly drug tested Monday. A friend of mine let me try her one of her phentermine pills two weeks ago. Will that show up on the drug test, if so could I be fired for taking a diet pill without a script?

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or loose my license?

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Specializes in med-tele/ER.

Phentermine is a controlled substance related to amphetamine. If they find out you are taking controls without prescriptions you likely would be fired. Not sure how that would effect your license.

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Specializes in Family Medicine.

I don't think it would be in your system after 2 weeks but I'd google it.

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I googled it for you and the general consensus seems to be that phentermine should be out of your system within 2-4 days following a single use. So you probably will be fine. I know you are already thinking this yourself, but in the future I would simply stay away from controlled substances that you don't personally have a prescription for. Even if it is just a diet pill, it's not worth losing your job (and possibly license).

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Specializes in LTC and School Health.

I take phetermine and I was cleared when I had my drug test. I brought in the bottle but it was NOT "prescription label". It just had the name and dosage but my name wasn't on it. I was fine...

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I doubt seriously you are going to "lose" your license.

A good lesson about illegally taking someone else's meds...you just never know when that "random drug screen" card is going to have your name on it. Most of us have done it at one time or another, but this is a good reminder that this practice can truly bite you.

BTW, what benefit would taking only one diet pill bring? Seems like you would need more than one dose to evaluate the efficacy of a medication like that. Not the best decision...

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

At this level, you don't have to sacrifice your peace of mind, if in fact you only took one prescription pill offered by your friend which leaves us the reader in a wonder state, since one pill wouldn't accomplish any goals. Needless to say, the lesson learned here goes without mention in the future stay away from any prescription meds. if they aren't prescribed by your physician, since random drug testing is another way to clean house...just saying.

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

We can not of legal or medical advice hereon AN. Anytime you take a prescription that is not prescribed for you is not legal. Has everybody done it? Yes.....with a controlled substance. Not a good idea. Just because it comes out of a prescription bottle doesn't make it legal. If it turns out positive...yes you can lose your job and your have placed license in jeopardy.Many nurses get discipline on their license for one DUI

I hope this turns out well for you. I hope you have learned that taking a prescription that is not your especially if it is a controlled substance is not a very prudent thing to do.

Good Luck!!!!

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Specializes in LTC.

Phentermine... the rage pill..

I had a friend who tested positive for amphetamines when she took it, however she just brought her bottle in and was fine. She didn't know she'd test positive for anything however, and there was huge stink about it until she could get everything straightened out.

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A little info I found

"Phentermine has an adult half-life of between 7 and 20 hours, and peaks in the bloodstream 8 hours following administration. Assuming a seven hour half-life, over 90% of the medication would theoretically be cleared from your system in 28 hours. Assuming a 20 hour half-life, it would take approximately 80 hours for most to clear."

Good Luck to you!!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

If you're going to take any medication--and especially controlled substances--that aren't prescribed for you, you're playing with your career...and it's no one's fault but your own if it burns you in the end. If you can't accept the risk and consequences, don't do it.

I don't know if this will result in losing your job and/or disciplinary action against your license. I'm thinking you're more likely to be disciplined or fired at work than to have to face the bon. But what happens is up to your employer.

If you do get away clean, in the future I'd seriously reconsider doing things like this, as you may not be lucky a second time.

Best of luck.

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