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: 4/12/2008 Subject: Employee Drug Screening
Question An employee rececntly tested positive for benzodiazepine, specifically Oxazepam. He is in a safety sensitive position, compromising the general publics safety should he be imparied.
He gave me a list of prescriptions, claiming on of these must have caused the positive result. Is it possible that one of the following prescriptions would result in a positive benzodiazepine and/or oxazepam test?
Crestor (Rosuvastatin Calcium) for Cholestoral issues.
Naproxen (NSAID) for pain
Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) for stomach issues
Skelaxin (Metaxalone)muscle relaxant
Answer Dee
None of the drugs you refer to are benzodiazepines and so in theory should not produce a false positive in a specific drug screen. However, I get many questions from individuals who fail tests and are adamant that they have not taken anything that would cause the failure. Whilst I obviously cannot confirm or trust these assertions, it does raise the question in my mind that the tests are not as accurate or specific as the manufacturers may claim.
My suggestion would be to contact the manufacturers of the specific brand of products you use. They should know of products which have given false positives in the past, and they should also be concerned to follow through on your experiences.
As for your employee, it is really now a matter of trust and consideration of possible risks. How confident you are in their honesty etc? A re-test would be sensible and following this up immediately with a blood test should a positive result occur again.
Finally, I always advise individuals that they should keep a portion of the urine sample to allow a second (independent) test if they wish, and to ensure that any testing is carried out in front of them with the sample always being in their site. Poor testing technique, contamination or mixing of samples can all occur, and the individual needs the confidence that this is not occurring. Your organisation may wish to review its testing processes to ensure these risks are removed and staff have confidence in the procedure.
