Over-The-Counter(OTC) Drugs That Test Positive For BZO/Benzodiazepines

August 31, 2021 • Uritox

Picture this: You are diligently preparing for your upcoming job interview, eager to showcase your skills and expertise. But a self-doubt haunting your mind: could innocently taking an over-the-counter (OTC) medication potentially jeopardize your chances of landing that dream job?

Well, maybe. Some OTC drugs like Ibuprofen, Tolmetin, Naproxen, Fenoprofen, Oxaprozin, Sertralin Prilosec, can potentially show positive for benzodiazepines.

Fear not, as we also cover what you need to do to avoid false positive results for benzos. Stick with us till the end and thank us later.

Why Over-The-Counter(OTC) Drugs May Test Positive For Benzodiazepines(BZO)?

Benzodiazepines are prescription medications that belong to the family of drugs known as antidepressants. Benzodiazepines are used to treat a variety of conditions that include depression, anxiety, amnesia, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms, among others.

Benzodiazepines have a high potential for abuse, and their illicit use is associated with producing a feeling of joy, reward, and security. Common street names include Benzos, tranqs, and downers.

Many labs perform an initial drug using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting benzodiazepine and other illicit substances. A confirmation test is required if the level of drugs analyzed is tested presumptive positive or above a certain cutoff level indicated for common drugs of abuse.

The cross-reactivity of compounds in a certain drug class may show a false positive, even though a drug may be absent or below the initial test cutoff.

Existing standard drug tests often detect the presence of illicit substances, including benzodiazepines, without you actually taking them, leading to false positive.

A confirmation test is carried out to confirm a false positive drug screen or, in some instances, a false negative. Confirmation tests typically employ either “gas chromatography-mass spectrometry” (GC/MS) or “liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry” (LC/MS) to eliminate false positives or false negatives.

Common Benzodiazepine (BZO) Drugs

Some of the common brands of benzodiazepines include:

Xanax
Valium
Klonopin
Ativan
Halcion
Restoril
Librium

OTC Drugs That Will Test Positive For Benzodiazepines (BZO)

The increasing instance of workplace drug testing for employees in the private and government sector, healthcare workers, for probation or criminal activity makes the accuracy and reliability of drug tests an essential factor.

A drug test is often required for pre-employment, random-testing of employees based on reasonable suspicion, follow-up testing after rehabilitation in a clinical setting, and testing in safety-sensitive areas such as those regulated by DOT (Department of Transportation).

A false positive can potentially lead to a loss of employment, jail time, loss of privileges under probation, revocation of medical license, and exclusion from competitive sports. Correspondingly, it may lead to unnecessary investigation and treatment.

OTC medications that can cause a false positive for benzodiazepine include:

1. Tolmetin:

Tolmetin is a prescriptive non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain, swelling, and stiffness from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. However, tolmetin will show up in a standard drug test for benzodiazepines.

2. Naproxen

Naproxen is a NSAID commonly used to treat pain or inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, menstrual cramps, gout, and fever. Chronic ingestion of Naproxen can show a false positive for benzodiazepines, including cannabinoids and barbiturates.

3. Fenoprofen

Fenoprofen is a NSAID similar to naproxen and ibuprofen. Common over-the-counter pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications such as fenoprofen could show a false positive for benzodiazepines and barbiturates.

4. Oxaprozin

Oxaprozin is an NSAID that is used for treating pain or inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The use of oxaprozin can cause a false positive for benzodiazepines in standard drug tests.

5. Sertraline

Sertraline, also known as SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor), is an antidepressant used to treat depression, OCD, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Sertraline could lead to a false positive for benzodiazepines in most standard drug tests performed in the workplace and clinical setting.

A recent study has confirmed that a significant proportion of false-positive results (26.5%) occurred in patients who had active prescriptions for sertraline at the time of the drug test.

In the wake of the rise in users of illicit substances in the workplace and corresponding drug testing measures for disciplining employees, it is essential to ensure the result of your drug test is accurate and follow established testing frameworks such as the Mandatory Guideline for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Program prescribed by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

How Can I Avoid A False-Positive For Benzodiazepines?

Here are some points that you should follow rigorously if you are looking to avoid false positive for benzos

Provide accurate information: Inform the tester about the prescription drugs and OTC drugs that you are taking. This can help the testing facility interpret the results accurately.
Open up to your healthcare provider: Discuss the possibility of false positives with your healthcare provider. They can guide you on how certain medications may affect drug test results and whether any adjustments or precautions are necessary.
Track your medications: Maintain a list of the medications you are currently taking, including their names, dosages, and the prescribing healthcare provider. This documentation can serve as a reference in case any questions arise during a drug test.
Understand potential cross-reactivity: Some substances, including certain medications and foods, can potentially cross-react with the drug test and cause false positive results. Educate yourself about substances known to have cross-reactivity with benzodiazepine screening tests to be aware of any potential triggers.
Follow testing procedures properly: Ensure that drug testing procedures are carried out correctly and adhere to industry standards. This includes using properly calibrated equipment and following appropriate collection and handling protocols.