Expert: Veronica C. Yost - 3/9/2009

Question
Okay.  To try and make a long story short I have a supervised probation for driving without a license and no insurance.  I was drug tested today and tested positive for meth!

I absolutely do not use meth, alcohol, or any other drugs.  BUT I do understand from doing research that there are a number of false positives for meth.  Here is what I have been exposed to:

Zantac 75, Alavert, and a Primatene Mist Inhaler.

Here is what I was told might be the culprit though...Recently I have drank both of these different energy drinks:

5-Hour Energy (Extra Strength)
Extreme Energy 6-Hour shot

My problem though is that I find no ephedras listed in the ingredients.  So my question is could they still be considered the culprit?

So that I could try and clear my good name I immediately went to a seperate medical location where I submitted to another test that is going to be sent to a lab.  I explained the situation to them.  So my next question is that if meth shows up again will someone or the test differentiate between "bad" meth and "good" meth?  If it is not a simple urinalysis test and being sent to a lab can I assume that it will be a GC /MS test?  I do know that I asked for a specific test in regards to meth as opposed to a test that checks for 5 variations of drugs.  I didn't know at the time that this apparently is the test I needed done (GC/MS).

I appreciate your time and expertise!

Answer
Hi Scott,
 I am going to call my "former" probation officer tomorrow.  He heads up all of that stuff and should give you some good answer's.  We stayed friends after I went off probation.
 Hang tight I should get back with you early in the morning.

Veronica

Oh, were you around someone else smoking meth?


He did send me this information.  Also added that your probation officer should give you the benefit of the doubt and retest you 2 or 3 times to back up any claim that you were (not saying you were) smoking meth.  There could be many combinations of medications that could occassionally cause a false positive.  I hope this helps some and good luck.

PER (EX)PROBATION OFFICER OF MINE:
Desoxyephedrine, Desoxyn, Methedrine, Vicks Inhaler (non-prescription drug). Selegiline, Benzphetamine and Famprofazone are converted to methamphetamine, Other 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.

MAY BE DUPLICATE BUT FROM ANOTHER ALL EXPERT WITH LINK: NIKKI

Over-the-counter cold and allergy remedies that contain ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, propylephedrine, phenylephrine or desoxyephedrine: Nyquil, Contactd, Sudafed, Allerest 12-Hour, A.R.M., Triaminic 12, Ornade, Tavist-D, Dimetapp, Sinex, Neosynephrine, Actifed, Bayer Selectd Maximum Strength Sinus Pain Relief Caplets, Contact Non-Drowsy Formula Sinus Caplets, Dristan Cold Caplets, Maximum Strength Sine-Aid Tablets, Maximum Strengeth Sudafed Sinus Caplets, Maximum Strength Tylenol Sinus Gelcaps, No Drowsiness Sinarest Tabs, Sinus Excedrin Extra Sterength Caplets, Characol Sinus, Drixoral Cold and Flu, Efidac/24, Phenegan-D, Robitussin Cold and Flu. Over-the-counter diet aids containing phenylpropanolamine: Dexatrim, Accutrim. Over-the-counter nasal sprays: Vicks inhaler, Afrin. Asthma medication: Marax, Bronkaid tablets, Primatine Tablets. Prescription medication: Amfeprainone, Cathne, Etafediabe, Morazone, phendimetrazine, phenmetrazine, benzphetamine, fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, dexdenflurarnine, Redux, mephentermine, Mesocarb, methoxyphenamine, phentermine, amineptine, Pholedrine, hydroymethamphetamine, Dexedrine, amifepramone, clobenzorex, fenproyorex, mefenorex, fenelylline, Didrex, dextroamphetamine, methphenidate, Ritalin, pemoline, Cylert, selegiline, Deprenyl, Eldepryl, Famprofazone

Here is the link regarding GC /MS testing:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Addiction-Drugs-1319/Please-Help.html

This should really help because it is a super in depth explanation of this testing procedure. If you are really clean, request it!

Veronica