As part of your employment contract, you may have agreed to submit to random urine tests as part of the company’s drug prevention policies. If you registered positive, your job might be at risk. However, if you’re one of many people in Texas who are facing drug charges because of a false positive on a urine test, a medication may have caused the glitch.
Numerous medications and other products can cause a false positive on a drug test. If you believe the results of your test were inaccurate, one of the first things you can do to resolve the problem is to request a second test. Urine tests are often used to detect substances, such as opioids, amphetamines, cocaine or other drugs in a person’s body. If you took a medication that caused a false positive, legal problems may arise, especially if you wind up facing drug charges in a Texas court.
Did you take any of these medications before taking a drug test?
The following list includes various types of medication that may spur a false positive for illegal drugs on a urine test:
- Pseudoephedrine: This medication alleviates nasal congestion and is often used by people who have hay fever or seasonal allergies. It can cause a false positive for amphetamines on a drug test.
- NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in bringing down a high fever, reducing inflammation and alleviating pain but can register as THC on a urine drug test.
- Antibiotics: Your doctor might prescribe antibiotics for various reasons, such as to eradicate an infection in your body. If you have recently taken antibiotics previous to a urine test, the results may have registered positive for numerous drugs, including methamphetamines or opioids.
These are just a few of many medications that could cause inaccurate results on a drug test. If you believe that you have been falsely accused of illegal drug use, it is important to know where to seek support.
Discuss the issue with your healthcare provider, employer and others
In addition to requesting a second drug test, you can discuss your concerns with your primary care physician, who may be able to confirm that a medication you took could, indeed, register a false positive for illegal drugs on a urine test. It’s also helpful to seek additional support from someone who understands how to navigate the criminal justice system.
If you can prove that the results of your drug test were faulty, a criminal court judge might decide to dismiss your case. Since drug charges often incur severe penalties under conviction, the sooner you begin building a strong defense, the better.