AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Expert: Nigel Simmons Date: 2/23/2008 Subject: Testing Positive for Bezo
Question I am trying to find out if Artane will show up positive on a drug screen for Benzo. I am in a Drug Court program and recently tested positive for Benzo's. I have Parkinson's and take Artane to help with the muscle twitching and shaking. I traveled to Texas and while there I had a terrible chest and sinus cold. I did take Benedryl alomg with Tylenol Cold and Allergy at the same time I had a tooth break off and was using Orajel. Upon arrival back home I went in to screen he next day and They told me this week almost a week later and 2 screens later that I came back positive. Ever since I started on the Artane I have always showen elevated on my screens. This medicine was approved through them before I ever had it filled. Could the allergy and cold medicine have raised this enough to show positive? I have way to much riding on me staying clean that I have not used anything. I just don't know how to prove this. Looking at Benedryl online it says not to use medications for Parkinson's along with this as it could intesify the drug. What should I do?
Thank You!
Answer Gary
Although there are some similarities in structure between Benzhexol and benzodiazepine drugs such as diazepam, I do not think they are sufficiently similar to cause false positives in a drug screen. However as it is not possible to be 100% certain, it is advisible to be prepared for the possibility.
As the Benzhexol is being prescribed for a recognised medical condition, then I would always recommend getting a letter or some other form of evidence from your doctor to confirm its use. If this is presented ahead of the drug screen then you have warned the testers and shown that you are mindful of possible problems. Presenting the information in advance would be more credible than producing later after a test has been failed and it may look as though you are trying to hide the problem. However, you do have a right of confidentiality about your medical record, so it is your choice what you share.
Given that the vast majority of cold rememdies and the decongestant allergy products are poorly effective and many contain ephedrine related compounds, it is always best to avoid using them. False positives to ephedrine products can occur and again might be difficult to explain (particularly as cough and cold medicines can frequently be abused). Simple symptomatic relief (steam inhalation, non-drug cough products or plain antihistamines for allergy) will usually be all that is required for a condition that is self-limiting and should pass within a week.
