OUR EMPLOYEE CLAIMS THAT THE PERSCRIPTIONS SHE IS TAKING ARE CAUSING
"FALSE POSITIVES", DOES WELLBUTRIN, DEXADRINE OR STRATERRA CAUSE A
POSITIVE RESULT FOR METHAMPHETAMINES?

smerth...

It will likely depend on the type of testing.

Dexedrine, also known as dextroamphetamine, is an amphetamine,
and will show up in a test for amphetamines. If the presence of
methamphetamine is being specifically tested, dexedrine can not
cause a positive for methamphetamine.

Here's what Norchem Drug Testing Laboratory wrote in the Spring
2000 edition of it's publication, Drug Testing Quarterly:

"Methamphetamine and amphetamine belong to a group of structurally
 related drugs called sympathomimetic amines (SMAs) that are brain
 stimulants."

[...]

"Legally Prescribed Forms:"

"Methamphetamine: 
 Desoxyephedrine, Desoxyn, Methedrine, Vicks Inhaler
 (non-prescription drug). Selegiline, Benzphetamine
 and Famprofazone are converted to methamphetamine
 in the body."

"Amphetamine:
 Dexedrine, Benzedrine, Adderal. Methamphetamine is
 converted to amphetamine in the body."

[...]

"Metabolism and Detection in Urine:"

"When methamphetamine is used, some is metabolized
 to amphetamine and both are excreted in the urine.
 Amphetamine is NOT converted to methamphetamine.
 Typically, the detection time following the last
 dose is 1-5 days. The longer detection time is a
 result of high doses or low urine acidity. High
 urine acidity results in shorter detection times
 and can be caused by drinking cranberry juice."

So, what this is saying is that, if dexedrine
alone is used, amphetamine, but NOT methamphetamine
should show up in the urine. If Methamphetamine is
used, both methamphetamine and amphetamine will show
up in the urine.

So if the test being used is checking ONLY for the
presence of amphetamines, yes, prescription dexedrine
will cause a positive result. If the test is checking
specifically for the presence of methamphetamines, the
dexedrine cannot cause a false positive. You would need
to check with the staff of the testing facility if the
reports you are receiving don't specifically report on
methamphetamine levels, vs amphetamine levels.

There are, however, other prescription and over-the-counter
drugs which can cause a false positive for methamphetamines
when using a standard immunoassay screening test:

"The list is not comprehensive and these drugs may be found
 in a large variety of medications. None of them will test
 positive for methamphetamine or amphetamine on confirmation
 by GC/MS...(Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry). This test
 is very specific. A positive result indicates the use of a
 drug containing methamphetamine, amphetamine or a drug that
 is metabolized to them."

"Ephedrine
 Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)  	
 Phentermine
 Fenfluramine
 Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
 Propranolol
 Phenmetrazine
 Thorazine (Chlorpromazine)
 Mephentermine
 MDMA (Ecstasy)
 Methylphenidate (Ritalin) 	
 Bupropion"

"Methamphetamine exists in two different forms, designated
 by the letters, "d" and "l." Street methamphetamine is
 predominantly d-methamphetamine. The over-the-counter
 medication, such as Vick's Inhaler, contains exclusively
 the "l" form. Although uncommon, heavy use of Vick's Inhaler
 can cause a positive urine test for methamphetamine. The
 claim that Vick's Inhaler is the source of a positive
 methamphetamine test can be checked by testing for the "d"
 versus the "l" form. This test is performed by GC/MS."

More on the page:
http://www.norchemlab.com/reference/dtq/0004dtq02.htm


In summary, if there's any question at all as to whether
methamphetamines are present, not as a result of dexedrine,
but from some other medication, you can have a GS/MS test
done. If only the 'l' form shows up, it's from a legal
source. If the 'd' form is detected, it's from street drugs.

If I haven't been perfectly clear, feel free to ask for a
clarification or the answer.


Please do not rate this answer until you are satisfied that  
the answer cannot be improved upon by way of a dialog  
established through the "Request for Clarification" process. 
 
A user's guide on this topic is on skermit-ga's site, here: 
http://www.christopherwu.net/google_answers/answer_guide.html#how_clarify 
 
sublime1-ga


Additional information may be found from an exploration of
the links resulting from the Google searches outlined below.

Searches done, via Google:

DEXEDRINE
://www.google.com/search?q=DEXEDRINE

dexedrine "false positive" methamphetamine
://www.google.com/search?q=dexedrine+%22false+positive%22+methamphetamine

SUBLIME1-GA'S ANSWER WAS VERY INFORMATIVE, IT CLEARIFIED THE DIFFERENCES.
TO THE LAST TWO ANSWER, THIS IS MY RESPONSE. NO IT ISN'T MY COMPANY
THAT IS DOING THE TESTING, IT IS HER PROBATION OFFICER AND THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S DECISION.  YOU SEE, I TRY TO GIVE EVERYONE THE
SHOT IN THE ARM THEY MAY NEED IN ORDER TO CHANGE THEIR LIFE FOR THE
BETTER.  THIS WOMAN IS ALSO MY BEST FRIEND.  AND YES, SHE IS PRESENTLY
TAKING ALL 3 MEDICATIONS.  I AM GETTING A LAWYER TO FIGHT IN HER
DEFENSE THAT IS WHY I INQUIRED.  NEXT TIME YOUR COMMENTS OR OPINIONS
ARE NOT APPRECIATED, I JUST WANTED THE FACTS.  AS I ALSO HAVE ADULT
ADHD, THE CLINICAL TESTING I HAVE UNDERGONE SHOULD BE A NORMAL
CONSISTANT WAY OF DIAGNOSING A REAL NUEROLOGICAL DISORDER.  AND YES
THE MEDS ARE A NECESSARY ELEMENT IN BEING ABLE TO OVERCOME.

It should be noted that "speed" and its analogs are only amphetamines,
and the employee could be taking that and not have it show up in a
test looking for only methamphetamines. However, GC/MS testing can
accurately show differences as small as one atom, and can show the
exact drug that was used, although such testing is much more expensive
than the standard drug tests. Dexedrine (a phenethylamine prototype),
Wellbutrin (also a phenethylamine analog), and MAYBE Stratterra
(stratterra is not the standard phenethylamine basic structure, but
rather, a phenpropylamine) could show up in a general drug test for
amphetamines, but a GC/MS test will show the difference between those
drugs and illicit drugs. It seems weird that the employee would give
you all three of those drugs as her prescriptions, unless of course
you are the employee looking for an excuse. Ha ha.

It should be noted that Bupropion (in the list of medications causing
false positives) is the generic name for Wellbutrin.

---larre

How is the employee's work performance?  That's what really matters, right?

If she is on meth, it will become obvious pretty quickly, as it is
almost impossible for a junkie to hold a job.

But if she is doing her job well, forget the stupid drug test.  You
are lucky that you have employees who will tolerate such an
unnecessary violation of their privacy.

GOOD ANSWER. BUT THE CLOSING COMMENT DESERVES MY ATTENTION.  FIRST MY
COMPANY IS NOT DOING THE TESTING, I DO NOT REQUIRE A DRUG TEST. I
WOULD NOT WANT INVADE THEIR PRIVACY.  THE COURTS AND PROBATION
DEPARTMENT, HAVE SENTENCED HER TO 3 TESTS PER WEEK.  I AM GETTING A
LAWYER TO DEFEND HER RIGHTS, AND TO GET HER REALEASED  AND NO I AM NOT
THE SUBJECT.  I AM HER BEST FRIEND.

smerth...

Thanks very much for the rating and the tip, and best of luck.

Regards...

sublime1-ga

sorry smerth.  I wish you and her the best.