What Can Cause A Positive Drug Test For PCP?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses what drugs could potentially cause a false positive drug test for PCP.
I take Ibuprofen 5-6 times a day and 300 mg tramadol 4-5 times per day. I just received a urine drug test back that was positive for PCP. I'm a 53 yr old grandma who doesn't smoke or drink even a beer. I don't even know what PCP is. What should I do?
What Causes A False Positive PCP Test?
What has apparently happened in your situation is known as a "false positive", a mistaken positive reading on the drug test which is not accurate. Unfortauntely, false positives are relatively common on standard urinalysis drug tests.
The issue with common drugs tests is that they aren't all that accurate. Most drug screening facilities use simple "immunoassay" based tests that work by utilizing antibodies to react to specific drug compounds. When a specified drug is present in a test urine sample, an antibody binds to it, producing a reaction. When a reaction occurs, it is recorded as a 'positive' result.
These "immunoassay" based tests can have significant problems with "cross-reactivity". In other words, drugs that are NOT being tested for can occasionally react with the wrong antibody (i.e. 'cross react'), resulting in a 'false positive'.
Both of the above tests do not use antibodies and can accurately determine the exact molecules present in a sample. If you received a 'false positive', these tests will be able confirm that a particular drug compound is not present.
I was taking phentermine for two weeks. Will it show in my urine analysis this coming Monday?
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How Long Does Klonopin Stay In Your Urine?
Can you let me know how long Klonopin (clonazepam) stays in your urine?