Hi peggyann,
If it makes you feel any better, your son is not alone, but hopefully
the information that follows will help you to improve his situation.
>>> Question: Do over the counter cold medications interfere with a
drug test and cause an error in the test?
That depends upon the type of test that was done. Some tests are much
more accurate than others. The better tests, usually performed by
governmental agencies, incorporate a two-step testing procedure while
the poorer tests only use a one-step procedure. The first step, Enzyme
Multiple Immunoassay Test (EMIT), common in both procedures, can
produce what is often referred to as a false positive (a case in which
the test shows the presence of a drug, when in fact a legal chemical
is the culprit). The poorer labs stop at this point and report a
failure on a drug test. The better labs do another test using
different equipment to insure the presence of the drug. The second
step is much more accurate and is referred to as a Gas
Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) test.
Reference-
TEST STANDARDS AND ACCURACY
http://www.marijuana.com/3b.php3
Some drug tests, such as the following (see website), test the
accuracy of their screening tests using GC/MS. The results can report
that the tests are far from infallible. This particular test reported
a false positive for 2% of lab methamphtamine/amphetamine screenings
(that means that 2 out of every 100 samples may show a false positive
for amphetamines).
Example:
TEST EVALUATION
TMS PACK vs. Laboratory Screening & GC/MS
http://www.testsymptomsathome.com/PRE10_test_evaluation.asp
It will be up to you to determine what type of test was done for your
son. Did it incorporate the GC/MS test or was it only an EMIT test or
some other test? If it was only an EMIT then there are plenty of
websites on the web that corroborate the fact that over the counter
cold medicines can cause false positives on an amphetamine drug test.
>>> Question: Also a list of drugs to avoid taking so one would not
get a positive reading for Methamphetamine would be helpful
Substances that could possibly cause a false positive
- Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, propylephedrine, phenylephrine, or
desoxyephedrine
(Nyquil, Contact, Sudafed, Allerest, Tavist-D, Dimetapp, etc)
-Phenegan-D, Robitussin Cold and Flu, Vicks Nyquil
-Over-the-counter diet aids with phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim, Accutrim)
- Over-the-counter nasal sprays (Vicks inhaler, Afrin)
-Asthma medications (Marax, Bronkaid tablets, Primatine Tablets
-Prescription medications (Amfepramone, Cathne, Etafediabe,
Morazone, phendimetrazine, phenmetrazine, benzphetamine, fenfluramine,
dexfenfluramine,dexdenfluramine,Redux, mephentermine, Mesocarb,
methoxyphenamine, phentermine,amineptine, Pholedrine,
hydroymethamphetamine, Dexedrine, amifepramone,
clobenzorex,fenproyorex, mefenorex, fenelylline, Didrex,
dextroamphetamine, methphenidate, Ritalin,pemoline, Cylert,
selegiline, Deprenyl, Eldepryl, Famprofazone) Kidney infection, kidney
disease, Liver disease, diabetes. "
http://www.alwaystestclean.com/false_positive_causes.htm
See also here a list of substances that could cause a false positive in urine:
http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/amphetamines/amphetamines_testing.shtml
>>> Finding help.
You could possibly ask an expert to take a look at the test results in
order to figure out which test methods were used. There is a man who
goes by the name of Dr. Kent Holtorf who claims to be an expert in
judicial cases involving false positives. His website advertises a
phone number that you can call for either expert testimony, or for a
review of the test results. I suggest that you call the number and
ask about a review of your test results. Then you could possibly ask
for a statement, based upon his judgement, to the effect of the large
possibility of a false positive in your case which you can pass onto
your lawyer.
False Positive Drug Tests
PO Box 792
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
ph: 310-375-2705
email: drholty@usa.net
"For possible expert testimonial services for cases involving
false-positive drug tests or to have your drug test results reviewed,
call Stephanie at 310-375-2705"
http://www.drugtestexpert.com/expert.htm
>>> Also of interest-
Subject: drug testing methamphetamines
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=477142
Subject: NEW over the counter allergy/cold medications test positive
for methamphetamine
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=483887
False positives
By Marc D. Greenwood, EMT-P, Akron (Ohio) Fire Department
http://firechief.com/mag/firefighting_falsepositives/
False positive for methamphetamine on drug tests of people using ephedra
http://www.supplementquality.com/z_askexpert/ephedra_testing.html
A site describing some legal steps you can take.
http://www.alwaystestclean.com/need_a_lawyer.htm
Suggestions - drink plenty of water before test, take the test in the
afternoon, ask for information on the type of test being done, have
results sent to your lawyer, speak to lawyer before test is done, ask
laboratory for their certification and investigate the laboratory's
false positive rate.
Hopefully we've been able to give you some hope and some direction to
take. If you have any questions, please post a clarification request
*before* closing/rating my answer and I'll be happy to reply.
Thank you,
hummer & co
Google Search Terms Used:
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