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!
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.
Interesting, XXWeaponX. I was in an auto accident while en route to seeing a patient. I had eaten a poppy seed muffin with lots of poppy seeds in it that morning. I had to have a drug test as part of the rules for an auto accident while on duty. The RN who did the test said it's a myth that poppy seeds show up on drug tests unless a very large amount are eaten. My test didn't show any positives.
Specializes in Psych, CD, HIV/AIDS, Complex Medical CM.
Interesting, XXWeaponX. I was in an auto accident while en route to seeing a patient. I had eaten a poppy seed muffin with lots of poppy seeds in it that morning. I had to have a drug test as part of the rules for an auto accident while on duty. The RN who did the test said it's a myth that poppy seeds show up on drug tests unless a very large amount are eaten. My test didn't show any positives.
People have been able to have terminations overturned, have been successful in court cases using the poppy seed defense, and there is validity to these cases. Over the years, improvements have been made in drug testing, which have made chances for poppy seeds tripping a person up less likely when those tests are used. However, saliva and hair testing are expensive, so most corporations stick with the good olde tymey dipstick cartridges which are much easier on the operations budget, and as a result, there still remains potential for false positives in opiates.
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...
I would tell them about your medications before you take the test. In my experience it's easier to do that than to try to clear up a positive result after the fact.
Don't forget to list any OTC medications you use regularly before the test. Benadryl shows up as PCP on the basic screening used in most employe drug testing. There are bound to be other meds that can cause you quite a bit of grief to get straightened out.
As long as you claim a legit script and name the meds your on, the worst thing that can happen is a screen pops positive and you are then required by a future employer/school to provide proof of a script. No issues from there. The heavier narcotics take more time and justification, just FYI. Many herbal remedies that are very strong poppy bases will pop positive as well, a script covers you. OTC and private purchased are much more difficult with a positive opiate result.. I hope this helps
So yes, with a legit script, tell them in advance, bring in pill bottles, but you'll still have more paperwork and faxing to do later. The screening company is not the same as the one that want's proof of a script. Be honest and upfront from the get go. you'll have less trouble and less paperwork that way.
Also, your primary doc, may charge to send files to prove the scripts. Medical records are now a pay for fee service due to the time involved, and the turn around time may be longer than you wish so keep up on these peeps.
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!
I got tested by the personel at my hospital. I was up front about my use of a benzo for anxiety and my use of amphetamines for my ADD. I had to bring in the rx bottles and they were photocopied and put in my file. After the test, I never heard from them because they already had my info. I also had to get a letter from my prescriber saying I could perform the duties of an RN while on these medications.
Whispera, MSN, RN
3,458 Posts
Interesting, XXWeaponX. I was in an auto accident while en route to seeing a patient. I had eaten a poppy seed muffin with lots of poppy seeds in it that morning. I had to have a drug test as part of the rules for an auto accident while on duty. The RN who did the test said it's a myth that poppy seeds show up on drug tests unless a very large amount are eaten. My test didn't show any positives.