Phentermine/Drug Test

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I am an RN in Illinois and recent completed a pre employment drug screen. I have an RX for Phentermine to aid in weight loss and suppress appetite. I had no idea the medication would cause a false positive for amphetamines. Will I be okay as long as I provide proof of prescription? Has this happened to anyone?

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.

Did you get a false positive? You should be OK if you have a valid prescription, you'll just have to jump through some hoops. And you might end up getting tested more often, even though you really shouldn't (legally).

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I did. It was positive for Amphetamines but I am certain I’ve never done any type of drug. Even the nurse said it’s due to Phentermine but she had to send it out. I am waiting for a call from a MRO to see what he needs in terms of proof of prescription. I am just freaking myself out because I read another post on here years ago that someone’s job offer was denied due to being on Phentermine.

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.

Hmmm...I don't know what to tell you.... I'm sorry, I hope it all works out OK.

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The MRO simply asks for proof of a current script. You send a pic of a current bottle. It’s fine.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele/ER/Urgent Care.

So they didn’t tell you at the clinic that prescribed it? It’s controlled substance and at clinic I worked at we gave letters with initial prescription for pts to give to employers/ HR etc in advance to avoid the situation you have found yourself in. What did you think this medication was?

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They’ve provided it now that I’ve asked for it. I know exactly what the medication is. Did I know that the medication has a possibility of causing a false positive result on a drug screen? That I did not know. Thank you for your comment.

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Update for anyone who is looking for an update on this thread. I was never contacted by an MRO. My test came back negative for amphetamines after a confirmatory lab was done. I’m not sure why my first urine rapid drug screen was positive, but I was surprised the MRO didn’t call to verify my phentermine RX. I am just happy to be cleared for pre employment. Now I know for next time and will avoid this stressful situation.

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.
On 4/27/2020 at 2:35 PM, yazmin said:

Update for anyone who is looking for an update on this thread. I was never contacted by an MRO. My test came back negative for amphetamines after a confirmatory lab was done. I’m not sure why my first urine rapid drug screen was positive, but I was surprised the MRO didn’t call to verify my phentermine RX. I am just happy to be cleared for pre employment. Now I know for next time and will avoid this stressful situation.

Just her looking for this, glad it all worked out. However, I'm assuming your job is like every other nursing job I've had in which they can test you at any time, so not sure how you can avoid this unless you go off the med.

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Elaine,

Yes this is my last week on the pill and will be off once I start. I can tell they discourage any unnecessary medication use for nurses and so I’m definitely coming off and not getting back on phentermine again, especially after this stress.

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.
29 minutes ago, yazmin said:

Elaine,

Yes this is my last week on the pill and will be off once I start. I can tell they discourage any unnecessary medication use for nurses and so I’m definitely coming off and not getting back on phentermine again, especially after this stress.

I'm assuming if you were using it for weight loss you had a lot of weight to lose, I wouldn't call that unnecessary. And it's not up to them to call a medication unnecessary....but in glad you won't have to hassle with it anymore.

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