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Im In The Military. If I Took A .5mg Xanax

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Posted on Mon, 14 Oct 2019
Question: Im in the military. If I took a .5mg xanax on Sunday evening, another .5mg xanax on Monday evening and took a urine test on Thursday afternoon at 1:00pm, would I test positive? I also drank 3 litres of water 2 hours prior to the test. My urine was very clear. I'm 6' tall, 210 lbs. Thank you for any advice...
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
yes, but

Detailed Answer:
Almost certainly. It stays in the urine for about 5 days BUT in the military for cannabis and I suspect all drugs is TENFOLD HIGHER CUT OFF than most places, so, it makes it a bit borderline.

Water intake will have very little effect on a liver metabolized drug. It will dilute the urine. If the urine is too dilute even if you haven't done anything, will result in a RED FLAGGING. Xanax and it's metabolites have a very simple metabolism so not much will affect it.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Sadly, no

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,

Eszopiclone (Lunesta) although working through some of the benzodiazepine receptors, is not one. It doesn't show up in the standard urine tests. If it did, you could just pop out your prescription and chuckle. If someone is using the much more expensive Gas Chromatograph test, they can choose to look for whatever they want, otherwise, eszopiclone isn't likely to show up.

You might want to look into 1) what the consequences of ONE positive test are (a LOT if you are piloting jets) and 2) what their drug rehab program is. Generally, they are pretty good about preferring treatment over retribution.

Regards


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (4 minutes later)
Ok thanks for your opinion. Also, I forgot to add...I took a Lunesta which I have a prescription for on Tuesday night. Will that have any affect on the outcome of the test? So it was approximately 66 hours from when I took the xanax until the test, and and 42 hours from the Lunesta until the test.

Thanks again for your advice.
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Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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Im In The Military. If I Took A .5mg Xanax

Brief Answer: yes, but Detailed Answer: Almost certainly. It stays in the urine for about 5 days BUT in the military for cannabis and I suspect all drugs is TENFOLD HIGHER CUT OFF than most places, so, it makes it a bit borderline. Water intake will have very little effect on a liver metabolized drug. It will dilute the urine. If the urine is too dilute even if you haven't done anything, will result in a RED FLAGGING. Xanax and it's metabolites have a very simple metabolism so not much will affect it.