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What Causes False Positive Result For Methadone While On Antihistamines And Decongestants?

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Posted on Wed, 26 Aug 2015
Question: I need a quick response while this is NEW and before he over reacts. Plus, he did not give me all my medications. I only need information on false positives for methadone from a respected source. This nightmare has happened to me and I don't take methadone! My pain management Dr. stopped completely one of my medications while I'm in the worst pain of my life; my spine. I need to object and get this straightened out ASAP Thank you. Can't you answer me here?

I've already done some research and I do take antihistamines & decongestants, naxopren and/or ibuprofen (last 2 antinflammatorys in high doses buffered with a stomach protection medication e.g. Duexis and Vomovo?) every day. The allergy medicine alone can cause false positives. All my other tests were ok except once, a long time ago. It too was positive for methadone. He didn't flip out about it then.


doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
ok... best answer

Detailed Answer:
get a hair testing. This is absolute:
it is mass spec and not dipstick. It is much more accurate on lower false positives

It is extreme in the answer. A zero, means no use for most of a year.

Extremely strong data and extremely strong denial of use.

Next best answers.
Yeah, with the dipstick there can be false positives. Let us start with TRUE false positives. XXXXXXX seeds come from the same plant that makes opium and heroin. It has narcotics in it. Ever hear of someone addicted to bagels? well.... the calories not the narcotic part I have but not to the narcotic in it. It is low and not quite the right type. It shows up on dipsticks it does not show as methadone on Mass spec.

Other meds
quetiapine.
http://www.YYYY.gov/pubmed/0000
BENADRYL (most common cold med otc)
http://www.YYYY.gov/pubmed/0000
less likely
Dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine (Benadryl), fluoroquinolones†, XXXXXXX seeds, quinine, rifampin, verapamil‡
http://www.YYYY.org/afp/2010/0000/p0000.html
That covers most everything EXCEPT two broad categories where the data are not great but it's sorta kinda known
1) herbal supplements we've really no idea what is in them. Heck might be methadone.
2) Unknown. Perhaps the highest cause of false positive dipsticks are in situations where we just never find what it was. Foods/additives/environmental factors, one's own chemistry or the dipstick just plain misfires. But although we sorta kinda know it happens, the data to support it is rather spotty.
Never-the-less, the hair test would sort out all of this.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (24 minutes later)
This was a lab test with specific numbers. There were two readings for methadone. One said 149 (units mg ?) and the other was 139 (units; again whatever the stand lab measurement is). During my research I read a reading off 500 or more was reportable. Doesn't that mean it is a very small reading?
Bottom line, I know this test is wrong. I do this every month without issue.
I just gave him my monthly urine yesterday. It'll probably come up ok; as they usually do. I do take supplements. The only herbal like is turmeric and resveterol.

Is the Benadryl and the decongestant that starts with XXXXXXX (long name) the possible culprits? I want to be specific when I point this out. I am on these medications.

Again, I'm in a hurry. Thank you.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
benadryl only if you've taken it.

Detailed Answer:
and psuedophed is a totally different chemical that is not an anti-histamine and is a stress hormone that dilates the nose and dries up respiratory secretions. It is chemically closely related to AMPHETAMINE and can be made into amphetamine. Doesn't show up as methadone. Ok....here's what a mass spec is.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YYYY
http://Yyyy.edu/chem/senese/101/Yyyy/m.shtml
Look at the "Data representation" here
https://en.wikipedia.org/yyYY/yYYYy
It is little piles of atoms.
If the pile is really sharp and big and at a funny spot... you really know what it is.
If it is tiny, broad and just about the same height as the static at the bottom you aren't really seeing ANYTHING. Level 500 Big, level 100 small. If it is below the cut off, then that's like a jury with 11 out of 12 saying innocent and ONE saying guilty.... sheesh.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

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

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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What Causes False Positive Result For Methadone While On Antihistamines And Decongestants?

Brief Answer: ok... best answer Detailed Answer: get a hair testing. This is absolute: it is mass spec and not dipstick. It is much more accurate on lower false positives It is extreme in the answer. A zero, means no use for most of a year. Extremely strong data and extremely strong denial of use. Next best answers. Yeah, with the dipstick there can be false positives. Let us start with TRUE false positives. XXXXXXX seeds come from the same plant that makes opium and heroin. It has narcotics in it. Ever hear of someone addicted to bagels? well.... the calories not the narcotic part I have but not to the narcotic in it. It is low and not quite the right type. It shows up on dipsticks it does not show as methadone on Mass spec. Other meds quetiapine. http://www.YYYY.gov/pubmed/0000 BENADRYL (most common cold med otc) http://www.YYYY.gov/pubmed/0000 less likely Dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine (Benadryl), fluoroquinolones†, XXXXXXX seeds, quinine, rifampin, verapamil‡ http://www.YYYY.org/afp/2010/0000/p0000.html That covers most everything EXCEPT two broad categories where the data are not great but it's sorta kinda known 1) herbal supplements we've really no idea what is in them. Heck might be methadone. 2) Unknown. Perhaps the highest cause of false positive dipsticks are in situations where we just never find what it was. Foods/additives/environmental factors, one's own chemistry or the dipstick just plain misfires. But although we sorta kinda know it happens, the data to support it is rather spotty. Never-the-less, the hair test would sort out all of this.