AboutBarbara Judge Expertise Outpatient pharmacy and general health. I have recently completed a Pharmceutical Care Certificate Program offered by Purdue University (Spring 1999 completion). I have personal experience dealing with terminally ill persons and their needs, as well as their families` needs. I graduated in 1984 from Pharmacy School and have been a Licensed Pharmacist since then. I have 18 years retail pharmacy experience. Prior to my pharmacy training I have 3 years hospital experience as a Nurse`s Aide.
Question I was denied participation in a research study for pain medication because I tested positive for Benzodiazapines. I was quite shocked after the nurse told me what it was as I don't take any prescribed medication and that Valium and Xanax are from Benzodiazapines.
For the past 2 weeks prior to my urine test I was taking otc supplements: 10-Day Hoodia plus Green Tea Extract (2 soft gels a day) and Omega 3 Fish Oil (2 a day @ 300mg each tablet). I stopped taking the One A Day vitamin and Move Free Advanced for my OA knee about 1 month prior to the UA test.
I was completely shocked that this turned up in my UA, could any of the OTC drugs that I am taking caused the test to test positive for Benzodiazapines.
Answer Although I can find no specific reference I think it may be possible that the false positive was caused by the Hoodia plus Green Tea Extract. Many herbal supplements cause false positive drug tests for various results. Sometimes these results are amphetamines, sometimes benzodiazapines, sometimes morphine derivatives. The herbal supplement market is not regulated by the FDA and if you purchased one brand of Hoodia with Green Tea one month and a different brand or manufacturers product the next month the ingredients are often entirely changed. They should be used with caution and only when necessary.
