By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo

TheMediTary.Com

Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com

  • Home
  • News
  • Drugs
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Medical Answers
  • About Us
  • Contact
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo
Search Drugs
  • Drugs
    • Latest Drugs
    • Drugs A-Z
    • Medical Answers
  • News
    • FDA Alerts
    • Medical News
    • Health
    • Consumer Updates
    • Children's Health
  • More TheMediTary.Com
    • About Us
    • Contact
Follow US
Home > Medical Answers > What medications can cause a false positive for methamphetamines?

What medications can cause a false positive for methamphetamines?

Answers by TheMediTary.Com - Last updated: 12-Aug-2023

A false-positive test result means that your drug test shows the presence of a medication or substance that you aren't actually taking. For example, a methamphetamine test comes back positive for methamphetamines, even though you haven't taken any.

False-positive results can be due to a laboratory error, but the most common reason for a false-positive methamphetamine test is other medications or substances that have a similar structure to methamphetamine.

Immunoassay testing for methamphetamine uses antibodies to look for certain drug metabolites (these are the compounds a drug breaks down into), and is the most common test used for initial screening. However, these antibodies may detect drug metabolites with similar structure and characteristics to methamphetamine, leading to false-positive results. For this reason, immunoassay testing should only be considered preliminary and should be followed up by confirmatory testing whenever a test comes back positive. Confirmatory tests are much more specific, but are costly, take more time, and require experienced laboratory personnel. They can distinguish between the l- and d-isomers of methamphetamine (only the d-isomer is psychoactive and illegal).

Usually, an immunoassay screening test for methamphetamine is a methamphetamine/amphetamine combined test, so will detect any medication or substance that resembles methamphetamine OR amphetamine. Medications that have been reported to cause false-positive results for methamphetamine or amphetamine include:

  • Amantadine, a drug that can prevent the flu and treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
  • Aripiprazole, an antipsychotic drug
  • Atomoxetine, an ADHD treatment
  • Brompheniramine, an antihistamine
  • Bupropion, an antidepressant
  • Chlorpromazine, an antipsychotic drug
  • Desipramine, an antidepressant
  • DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine), found in some dietary and weight-loss supplements
  • Ephedrine, a medication that treats low blood pressure from other medications
  • Fenofibrate, a cholesterol-lowering medication
  • Fluoxetine, an antidepressant
  • Labetalol, a blood pressure-lowering drug
  • Metformin, a diabetes medication
  • Nefazodone, an antidepressant
  • Ofloxacin, an antibiotic used to treat ear infections
  • Promethazine, a drug that treats allergies and/or motion sickness
  • Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant
  • Ranitidine, a drug used for ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (discontinued in 2020)
  • Phentermine, a weight loss drug
  • Phenylephrine, a decongestant
  • Selegiline, a drug for Parkinson's disease or depression
  • Trazodone, an antidepressant/sedative
  • Thioridazine, an antipsychotic drug
  • Vicks Inhaler, contains l-methamphetamine, an isomer of methamphetamine useful for nasal congestion that is legal because it has little activity in the brain.
Share this Article

Featured questions

  • Can these drugs be used in Thalassemia patients?
  • How does Lupron (leuprolide) work for prostate cancer?
  • What is the consideration to use nifidepine over amlodipine?
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy/mechanical heart valve?
  • I have been on 400mg of tramadol a day for 20 years, decided its time to come off them
  • Cetirizine - can cetirizine be taken for long periods of time?
  • In the 1960 and 1970 what was used to treat server asthma?
  • High dosage of escitalopram?
  • Citalopram - Why? Does Celexa generally poop out after 4 years?
  • Depression - What are the alternatives to Lexapro?
  • Accutane - Any vitamins or foods that were helpful to get thru the purge process?
  • Hello, I've been having horrible adrenaline rushes that I'm assuming are anxiety since having a...
Related Drugs
Fidanacogene Elaparvovec
Cerave Anti-Itch (Hydrocortisone topical)
Centrum Adult (Multivitamins and minerals)
Crovalimab
Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe (Adalimumab)
Zepbound Pen (Tirzepatide)
Mylanta One (Calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone)
Uretron Ds (Hyoscyamine, methenamine, methylene blue, phenyl salicylate, sodium biphosphate)
Medihoney Wound And Burn Dressing (Topical emollients)
Lidotrode
Libervant (Diazepam (buccal))
Moderna Covid-19 (Covid-19 (6m-11y) vaccine, moderna (2024-2025))
Beqvez (Fidanacogene elaparvovec)
Beqvez (Fidanacogene elaparvovec)
Beqvez (Fidanacogene elaparvovec)

Categories

  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health

About US

Welcome to TheMediTary.Com

Our website provides reliable and up-to-date information on various medical topics. We empower individuals to take charge of their health by simplifying complex medical jargon and providing practical tips and advice. We prioritize the privacy and confidentiality of our users and welcome feedback to improve our services.

Website use data of FDA and other sources

DMCA.com Protection Status Truste Protection Status Trust Mark Protection Status
HONcode logo We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.
Quick Link
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Sitemap
  • Care Notes
  • Health Guide
  • Professional
Drugs
  • New Drugs
  • Medical Answers
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Drug Classes
  • Drug Dosage
  • Pill Identifier
  • Consumer Infor
  • Side Effects
  • Inactive Ingredients
  • Pregnancy Warnings
  • Patient Tips
  • Treatments
News
  • Latest News
  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health
Find US
  • Medium
  • Google Site
  • Blogspot
  • API
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Scoop.it
  • Substack
  • Wordpress
  • Wix
  • Behance

© 2025 TheMediTary.Com All rights reserved. Operated by