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Can A Breathalyzer Test Fail While Using Chlorhexidine Gluconate?

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Posted on Tue, 6 May 2014
Question: Is it possible to fail a Breathalyzer while using chlorhexidine gluconate (Periedex mouth rinse)? would you also fail the 2nd test 15 minutes later? work for bnsf had a random Breathalyzer right before I reported to work, 30 minutes before that I brushed my teeth and rinsed with peridex, did not have any alcohol to drink for months and got a reading on the Breathalyzer that I had failed. I'm desperate to find out what could have caused this. Thanks
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Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (3 hours later)
Brief Answer: Periedex can cause this Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this failed test despite you not having tasted alcohol in months. This mouth wash solutions have as one of the ingredients alcohol(11.6%). This can therefore be picked up by the breathalyzer as alcohol resulting in a failed test. This is the most likely explanation for this failed test. Talk to the authorities that be about this and let them know you had used this product just minutes before your test. They should reconsider the test results and probably label it as a false positive! I hope you find this helpful. I wish you well and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Sorry about this mixed up that you had! I hope the authorities in power listen to your case. Dr. Ditah, MD.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6323 Questions

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Can A Breathalyzer Test Fail While Using Chlorhexidine Gluconate?

Brief Answer: Periedex can cause this Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this failed test despite you not having tasted alcohol in months. This mouth wash solutions have as one of the ingredients alcohol(11.6%). This can therefore be picked up by the breathalyzer as alcohol resulting in a failed test. This is the most likely explanation for this failed test. Talk to the authorities that be about this and let them know you had used this product just minutes before your test. They should reconsider the test results and probably label it as a false positive! I hope you find this helpful. I wish you well and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Sorry about this mixed up that you had! I hope the authorities in power listen to your case. Dr. Ditah, MD.