More and more organizations now require drug screening. You will be tested for drug abuse in so many cases. You may be tested when applying for a job or you may have to take a drug test in case you are seeking child custody. While modern-day testing procedures are quite accurate, some substances can cause problems. Methamphetamine or amphetamine is one such example, and it is possible to have false positive for amphetamines. It is therefore important to perform additional tests in case a urine test turns out to be positive.

What Is Amphetamine?

This commonly used street drug makes you feel very alert. It works as a stimulant and makes you feel very happy, but it can also cause agitation and make you have hallucinations and delusions. If you have taken it, you may also feel paranoid, aggressive, and even violent. Regular abuse may result in serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, severe tooth decay, and convulsions.

However, it is important to mention that sometimes doctors prescribe medications that may use a very small amount of amphetamine. These types of drugs are usually prescribed for people with attention-deficit or hyperactivity disorder. It is sometimes used in the treatment of obesity, depression, and narcolepsy.

You are asked to take an amphetamine test to confirm that you do not have amphetamine in your system. It tests urine to confirm the presence of this drug which stimulates your nervous system. It is important to mention that amphetamines, such as phentermine and meth can stay in your system for long and show up in your urine even days after you have taken it.

Causes for False Positive for Amphetamines

If you do not take amphetamines but still have a positive result, there could be many explanations why it has happened. Here are some possible causes.

1. You Are on Antidepressants

If you are taking desipramine or bupropion to treat the symptoms of depression, you may end up having a false positive for amphetamine. Some studies have shown that bupropion may help reduce the craving for meth. Desipramine is an older antidepressant but it can also contribute to a false positive when you have your urine tested for amphetamines.

2. You Are Using Vicks Inhaler or Other Cold Remedies

It is possible to have a false positive for meth if you are using the Vicks inhaler. The reason is that it contains a very small amount of I-methamphetamine. The same may happen when you take cold medications that contain pseudoephedrine or ephedrine. The good thing is that more sophisticated drug testing can often help confirm whether a person is an abuser or not.

3. You Are Taking Parkinson's Drugs

If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and are taking a drug called Selegiline, you may also be tested positive for amphetamines. The same may happen when you take Amantadine which is another anti-Parkinson's drug.

4. You Are on Amphetamine Medications

As mentioned already, your doctor may prescribe amphetamines to treat certain medical conditions. For instance, drugs like Dextrostat and Adderall are often prescribed for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If you are taking these drugs and then take an amphetamine test, you may get a false positive result. Be sure to show your tester a prescription from your doctor for any of the drugs you are taking for ADHD.

5. You Are Using Weight Loss Supplements

Another cause to a false positive may be weight loss supplements. Certain supplements contain dimethylamylamine (DMAA) which has sympathomimetic activity. Oxyelite Pro is a popular weight loss supplement that contains DMAA and its use may lead to a false positive amphetamine screening.

What to Do If You Receive a False Positive for Amphetamines

While not all companies would allow it, most will allow you to retest, especially if you are sincere and have a reasonable story to tell. Still, you will have to provide them with prescriptions or any medications you might already be taking for other medical conditions. It is important that you emphasize your innocence and try to be honest. You should never share your thought about getting a false positive result at this point. It is better to do your own research first to know why you have failed the test. You can tell them about your concern once you know what went wrong during the first test.

In case you get a second chance, it is a good idea to take certain steps that would increase the likelihood of getting a negative result this time around. For instance:

• Do not agree to be tested again right away – you will not get a different result. Ask for some time and get a future date for another test.
• Know why you have failed the first time and then proceed accordingly.
• Be sure to start a detoxification process before taking the test again. Being prepared is important and increases your chances of getting a negative result.
• Conduct some research or work with an expert to help identify and obtain the most appropriate detoxification product.
• Pay attention to what you eat. It is better to avoid greasy foods, high fat foods, and junk foods. Foods like cream sauces, butter, and fried foods should also be avoided because they slow the detoxification process.
• Avoid everything that could cause a problem and result in another false positive for amphetamines.
• Avoid smoking, alcoholic beverages, and unnecessary medications. It is also a good idea to avoid taking any vitamins or similar supplements until you take the test.
• Limit your exposure to toxins and do not spend time in toxic environments.
• Increase your intake of water – you should be drinking no less than four 16 oz. glasses of water every day. Avoid drinking all at once; instead, sip on them throughout the day to get better results.
• Include an exercise program in your routine and be sure to follow it to the day of your test. Do not exercise on the day of your amphetamine test.