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Can Certain Drugs Lead To False Positive THC Test?

Posted on Tue, 13 May 2014

Question: Can certain medications when taking together cause a positive thc urine drug test such as eye drops for pressure (Azopt and Latansoprost) and Paroxetine for anxiety and depression?

Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Paroxetine could cause false positive Detailed Answer: HI Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query. There are certain drugs, that could lead to false positive THC test. The list includes: Ibuprofen, Hemp oil, Rabeprazole sodium, Naproxen, Antacid, Efavirenz, Esomeprazole, Sertraline etc. Paroxetine and sertraline, both are antidepressants and SSRIs, so it could lead to positive test. In case, you have more query, you can ask. Regards Dr. Abhishek Kapoor Psychiatry

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (4 hours later)

I take 20 MG per day of Paroxetine. I have been taking for more than 10 years. Would this likely show an increased level of thc in a drug test? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: Chances of positive test are possible Detailed Answer: Hi There are high chances to get positive test due to cross re-activity. Metabolites of sertraline and paroxetine are same and due to cross re-activity, sometime, tests come positive. Rest depends upon the technique followed by lab. Regards Dr. Abhishek Kapoor Psychiatrist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (8 hours later)

Thank you for your answers. Is there any articles and research I can sight for testing positive for THC in Urine tests when taking Paroxetine. I failed a pre-employment drug test and would like to provide written evidence. I have seen articles that say Paroxetine does not cause a positive test result.

Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (10 hours later)

Brief Answer: Could not get any article on it. Detailed Answer: HI In the clinical laboratory, immunoassays are the most widely used screening technique for drugs such as cannabis(THC). All immunoassay technologies are based on a competitive binding process between antibody and antigen, which in this instance is a drug. The antibodies used are most sensitive and specific for the drug used to generate the antibodies, but sometime due to cross re-activity, antibodies form. Cross re-activity means the reaction between two different molecules as opposed to the self re-activity. At the same time each of these molecules is able to react with the identical molecule or as it is usually described, to react with itself. For example, you were on paroxetine and due to cross re-activity, it produced antibodies which were sensitive towards THC that showed the possibility of these THC in urine test. Chances of getting false positive is more in cheaper test. Better to go for 5 panel or 10 panel urine test. I tried to find any article on it, but could not able to find you any proof. Sorry for that. Regards Dr. Abhishek Kapoor Psychiatrist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar