Keep testing positive for meth and haven't done it

Posted by terrimindy @terrimindy, Mar 23, 2023

Was told metformin can have you test positive for meth

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Addiction & Recovery Support Group.

@terrimindy, there are some medications which can give false-positive readings in drug tests. Metformin (Glucophage), may result in a positive test for amphetamine or methamphetamine, according to drugs.com.

Here’s a full list of the meds which can cause false-positive readings.
https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/medications-false-positive-methamphetamines-3566578/

That has to be incredibly frustrating for you! If this is for work, your urine samples can sent to a lab for a more advanced tests which would show the presence of Metformin. You also can go to your doctor who prescribed meds and get a letter to keep on file at work confirming that you are on Metformin for diabetes. I hope you get this all sorted out.
Is this for your job with routine drug testing?

REPLY
@loribmt

@terrimindy, there are some medications which can give false-positive readings in drug tests. Metformin (Glucophage), may result in a positive test for amphetamine or methamphetamine, according to drugs.com.

Here’s a full list of the meds which can cause false-positive readings.
https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/medications-false-positive-methamphetamines-3566578/

That has to be incredibly frustrating for you! If this is for work, your urine samples can sent to a lab for a more advanced tests which would show the presence of Metformin. You also can go to your doctor who prescribed meds and get a letter to keep on file at work confirming that you are on Metformin for diabetes. I hope you get this all sorted out.
Is this for your job with routine drug testing?

Jump to this post

Very interesting!

REPLY
@loribmt

@terrimindy, there are some medications which can give false-positive readings in drug tests. Metformin (Glucophage), may result in a positive test for amphetamine or methamphetamine, according to drugs.com.

Here’s a full list of the meds which can cause false-positive readings.
https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/medications-false-positive-methamphetamines-3566578/

That has to be incredibly frustrating for you! If this is for work, your urine samples can sent to a lab for a more advanced tests which would show the presence of Metformin. You also can go to your doctor who prescribed meds and get a letter to keep on file at work confirming that you are on Metformin for diabetes. I hope you get this all sorted out.
Is this for your job with routine drug testing?

Jump to this post

I am on probation and my UA's keep coming up positive. My Dr is adamant it's not my meds.

REPLY
@terrimindy

I am on probation and my UA's keep coming up positive. My Dr is adamant it's not my meds.

Jump to this post

Oh my gosh, Terri, that’s so frustrating! There are many reputable websites on the internet that validate the possibility of Metformin creating false positives on drug tests. Is there any way for you to change physicians?

REPLY

Some foods will inadvertently cause false positives. Avoid anything with poppyseeds like bagels, hot dog buns, some pastries and coffee cakes. Sometimes it’s the most innocent stuff that you’d never imagine would be the problem.

REPLY
@loribmt

Oh my gosh, Terri, that’s so frustrating! There are many reputable websites on the internet that validate the possibility of Metformin creating false positives on drug tests. Is there any way for you to change physicians?

Jump to this post

Yes I am thinking of finding a new Dr. It's getting very frustrating.

REPLY
@az53

Some foods will inadvertently cause false positives. Avoid anything with poppyseeds like bagels, hot dog buns, some pastries and coffee cakes. Sometimes it’s the most innocent stuff that you’d never imagine would be the problem.

Jump to this post

Right and people don't want to believe that, they would just rather put a label on you.

REPLY

I am in drug court and was just called and said I tested positive for meth. How can this be? I have been clean for 668 days. What can cause this? I take no prescriptions not even advil. I am devastated

REPLY
@kcongine

I am in drug court and was just called and said I tested positive for meth. How can this be? I have been clean for 668 days. What can cause this? I take no prescriptions not even advil. I am devastated

Jump to this post

It happens. Sometimes it's a "false positive", sometimes it's something else totally innocuous that mimics a drug. I know that they told me not to have anything with poppy seeds before a urine test (think poppy seed on a bagel or a bun!) because it could lead to a positive for morphine, codeine or other opiates. Once I tested positive for opiates and I never "used" them except as administered when I was in the ER for alcohol--and that had happened 6-months prior. Some mouthwashes can lead to undue alcohol readings. If you're around people who smoke pot the smoke can actually settle on you enough to cause a positive. I would explore this with the people who gave you your test. They have probably run into it a lot. Or talk to a doctor, or google the info. And congratulations on the 668 days! You're doin' great!

REPLY

So I have tested positive for meth & amphetamines, I have not used, only thing I did that I could think of the reason is take some ibuprofen that was in a med bottle that could of been around residue. I have a friend who uses and there’s stuff laying around and I’m always afraid of testing positive if I don’t wash my hands enough. I don’t want to lose this person but I may have to. When they send it to the lab the levels are so low it shows it’s obvious I haven’t used. That’s a possibility if anyone has tested positive and not used, you can touch something and ingest it anywhere these days, it’s crazy.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.