what medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test

This means the test shows the presence of certain substances or medications you havent actually taken. Following are the medications that may lead to a false positive pregnancy test; Anti-psychotics, anti-convulsant, and anti-anxiety medications may cause a false positive test. Alcohol and illicit drugs also dont affect pregnancy test results. Now, youll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare providers. During pregnancy, the hCG levels continue to rise, in general doubling every few days, and peaking at around 10 weeks. It can be extremely upsetting to receive a false positive pregnancy test result, especially if youve had trouble getting pregnant or are actively trying to get pregnant (or both). The Fertility Institute. An untreated ectopic pregnancy can be a medical emergency. Fertility Plus recommends waiting 7 days after a 2,500 International Unit (IU) injection, 10 days after a 5,000 IU injection, and 14 days after a 10,000 IU injection to test. +0. Coca tea could affect your screening for up to 36 hours after youve sipped it. Bupropion (Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR) may lead to false positive results for amphetamine or methamphetamine. MA. You usually conceive and become pregnant after the implantation takes place. GoodRx provides no warranty for any information. If you've taken a pregnancy test and believe that a negative result is wrong, the best thing to do is wait for at least two days and test again. You may get a false positive result when using at-home pregnancy tests. These medications usually wont interfere with your drug screens. Rohit Jain is an IPR Specialist and Medical Content Writing Expert. Levofloxacin (Levaquin) and ofloxacin are the most likely of the quinolone antibiotics to cause a false positive urine test for opiates. Can medications False positive results are uncommon on pregnancy tests; false negatives are much more common. It takes around 7 to 14 days to clear the drug from your system after injection. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. They may also order a transvaginal ultrasound to confirm that the pregnancy is proceeding normally. Taking antibiotics wont make your pregnancy test positive, but if youre on fertility medications, containing hCG (these are given by injection) you may get a false The presence of blood canalso affect your pregnancy test and is usually an indication of bladder infections or kidney disease. Working one-on-one with a therapist, family member, or trusted friend can also be beneficial. While rare, labetalol could cause a false positive test for amphetamine or methamphetamine. Other drugs that may cause a false positive pregnancy test include: 6 Antipsychotics often used to treat schizophrenia, such as perphenazine, prochlorperazine, chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, thioridazine, and thiothixene The anti-seizure/anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine used for epilepsy, facial nerve pain, and bipolar disorder American Psychological Association. Blood may occur in urine due to various conditions such as cystitis. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911. Another antipsychotic-- chlorpromazine -- can cause drug tests to come up positive for amphetamine, a stimulant. Theyre used to help treat fever, inflammation, and pain. Fraser, A.D., et al. But chances are very low that youll have enough THC to trigger the positive result in the screens used by the federal government and many private employers. Some pregnancy tests detect hCG very early in pregnancy. And then you later find out it was just a false positive. Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. For instance, some tests require leaving the dipstick in the urine stream for a specific amount of time. (2012). These early test results, when wrong, can be emotionally draining. A recent miscarriage or abortion, certain medications, and several other conditions may cause a false-positive result. Its made with the leaves of the same plant that cocaine comes from. All the best, masso. Jensen, C.M., et al. You can learn more on her website. Phentermine (Adipex-P) is FDA-approved to help some people lose weight. A home pregnancy test has confirmed what you suspected youre pregnant. Most doctors, however, advise against home testing and ask that you come to the office to get a blood-based test. Promethazine is part of a group of medications called phenothiazines. There are a few things that can cause a false negative reading, namely the improper use of the test, testing too early, using an expired test, or diluting the urine by drinking too much water in advance. Oxaprozin cross-reactivity in three commercial immunoassays for benzodiazepines in urine. Fertility treatments may lead to a false positive reading. Now you know the answer, and it is important to talk to your doctor when you are not sure if you are really pregnant or have received false positives. Rather than triggering a false negative, they can sometimes return a false positive reading, leading to you believe that you are pregnant when, in fact, you are not. Obstetrics & Gynecology. Trazodone, meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (an hallucinogenic drug and trazodone metabolite), and the hallucinogen trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine cross-react with the EMITII ecstasy immunoassay in urine. Answers. Recent abortion or miscarriage may lead to false-positive results. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. Anti-Parkinsons drugs may also affect the results of pregnancy tests. Drugs that contain the hCG hormone aimed at boosting fertility may impact pregnancy test results. Last Updated 01 May, 2023. HMG is made up of two hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Antiepileptic or Anticonvulsants: Drugs such as barbiturates, bromides, benzodiazepines, These include labetalol (Trandate), doxylamine (Unisom), and tramadol (Ultram). Phentermine is a prescription medicine that helps curb your appetite. That may lead to false-positive results. A procedure called dilation & curettage (D&C) may be necessary to remove the tissue inside the uterus. These medications can sometimes cause a false-positive on your pregnancy test. What Medications Can Cause a False Positive Pregnancy Test? Other meds, too, can affect your hormone levels and potentially cause a pregnancy test to read positive by mistake. Its possible to have a positive pregnancy test even if you arent technically pregnant. A false-positive might happen if you had a pregnancy loss soon after the fertilized egg attached to the uterine lining.You also may get a false-positive if you take a pregnancy test soon after taking fertility medicine that contains HCG . This article explores several reasons you may get a false-positive result on your pregnancy test. Perkins also has extensive experience working in home health with medically fragile pediatric patients. It is best to take the test first thing in the morning. To recap, pregnancy tests work by detecting the pregnancy hormone, hCG, in urine. Pediatric Emergency Care. (2010). Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. What can cause a false positive? Pregnancy tests measure levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood or urine. Not cleaning the cup that comes with certain pregnancy test kits can also cause contamination of the urine sample and affect your results. But its not clear what dose of diphenhydramine would cause a false positive result. Any medication that contains hCG can cause a false positive pregnancy test result. But more often, certain medications are the cause of a false positive result. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. Urinary Tract Infection | False-Positive Pregnancy Test: 7 Possible Ca Learn about potential problems associated with rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy, including triggers, preeclampsia, premature birth, and low birth, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Ovidrel Trigger Shots for Fertility Treatment. False-positive interferences of common urine drug screen immunoassays: A review. Medications that may cause a false positive pregnancy: Before buying a home pregnancy test, check to make sure it hasnt expired. If its an employer-mandated screening. Patients in medical treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Are they at risk in drug screening?. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you get a positive result you can almost certainly assume you are pregnant, at which point you should visit your GP to confirm the news, and then you can spend the next nine or so months cooking your human child (psst: read up on which celebs are currently expecting).pregnant, at which The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Extreme blood loss or loss of the reproductive organs can occur. (2009). Several of these medications for mental disorders can lead to false positive tests. Certain decongestants 4. One hundred false-positive amphetamine specimens characterized by liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Copyright 2023 Healthgrades Marketplace, LLC, Patent US Nos. WebWhat can cause a false urine pregnancy test? But there are a few things you should avoid doing. Your drug screen could become positive for methadone or PCP with large doses of tramadol. (2011). Krista Elkins has 20 years of experience in healthcare as both a paramedic (NRP) and a registered nurse (RN). Methylphenidate is distinguished from amphetamine in drug-of-abuse testing. False-positive and false-negative tests can occur for a variety of reasons. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. The following situations can cause a false pregnancy test (either positive or negative): testing too early, using the pregnancy test incorrectly, or being on certain medications or having certain medical conditions.. 11 /11. Some states allow CBD oil, edibles, and other products to have up to 5% of the mind-altering chemical THC. HCG levels are typically expected to double every two days if you are pregnant. (2004). A second test would need to confirm it. This is due to the residual level of hCG present in the woman. Labetalol is in a group of medications called beta-blockers. The best way to avoid such confusion is to analyze the results within the instructed time limit. False-positive phencyclidine (PCP) on urine drug screen attributed to desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) use. It is relatively rare but possible to have a false-negative pregnancy test. Its chemically similar to amphetamines, a stimulant used to treat ADHD and as a study aid to stay awake. a recent pregnancy (e.g. Inaccurate hCG Levels. It is therefore important to read your results within the time frame mentioned on the kit. certain medications containing the hCG hormone, like some fertility treatments. Why Did a Second Line Appear Later on My Pregnancy Test? (2016). False Positive pregnancy occurs due to a variety of reasons. Home pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a urine sample. They may be able to confirm the results by running a second test. Intact hormone, alpha subunit and beta subunits are present in the blood during pregnancy. If you read the result after a long time, your urine will dry, leaving evaporation lines on it. 10 Common Questions About Labor and Delivery. A small quantity of this hormone is also secreted by the colon, liver, and pituitary gland. Drug Enforcement Administration. Lelievre, B., et al. Please seek medical advice before starting, changing or terminating any medical treatment. You may also repeat the test to see if you still get the same result. Many sources state that methylphenidate can cause false positive results for amphetamines. Youll want to use a timer again while you wait for your results. Learn more about the best time to take a pregnancy test. (2010). As Dr. Homaifar explains, the following can also cause menstrual irregularities: Stress. Usually yes, but sometimes no. (2012). Follow up with a blood test will give more accurate results. How Much Water to Drink before Ultrasound? Cherwinski, K., et al. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. If youve been looking forward to a positive pregnancy test result, a false-positive is disappointing. Why Is There No Milk Coming Out When Pumping? 589. It takes almost one to one-and-a-half months to have a normal level of hCG. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This is a rare one, but some medical conditions such as certain kinds of cancer, chronic kidney disease, as well as problems with your ovaries could cause the body to have increased levels of HCG and potentially lead to a false-positive pregnancy test. Even if your period is late according to your typical cycle, you might have ovulated later in the month. https://pregnancy.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Pregnancy_Test_False_Positives All the best, +0 Related topics keppra, pregnancy Further information Keppra uses and safety info Keppra information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details) Side effects of Keppra This includes prescription medications or certain illegal substances. The best way to avoid a false-positive pregnancy test is to wait at least a week after youve missed your period to take the test. For instance, a false positive is when a drug test shows the presence of a medication or substance that you aren't actually taking. After completing the five-day course, a "trigger shot" of Pregnyl, Ovidrel, or Novarel may be used to mature eggs and induce ovulation. Several other medications can cause false positive urine results. Check out our Zodiac Center! A chemical pregnancy occurs when an egg has fertilized but doesnt attach to the uterus. What is a chemical pregnancy? Some medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test result. Other drugs that may cause a false positive pregnancy test include: Some antiseizure drugs. Dextromethorphan is the main ingredient in many OTC cough suppressants. This is a rare one, but some medical conditions such as certain kinds of cancer, chronic kidney disease, as well as problems with your ovaries could cause the body to have increased levels of HCG and potentially lead to a false-positive pregnancy test. Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. The kidney degrades the beta subunits to produce a core fragment. That can cause a false-positive reading on an at-home pregnancy test. 7,752,060 and 8,719,052. (2011). However, there are rare circumstances when you may get a false positive. False-positive urine pregnancy test due to leukocyte interference. Theyre not foolproof, however. It helps lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure (hypertension). In some cases, though, running a second test may not be possible. In addition, she writes content marketing for the healthcare industry because thats where her expertise lies. Most of the time pregnancy tests give accurate results. The trazodone metabolite meta-chlorophenylpiperazine can cause false-positive urine amphetamine immunoassay results. Check the expiration date and read through the directions. Can You Measure hCG Levels in Your Urine? Human errors also lead to a false positive test. The results of a confirmation test are much less likely to show false positive results. It also discusses which tests are more accurate and how early you can take them. Clinical Chemistry. Your privacy is important to us. Learn about the rare reasons for a false-positive pregnancy test. Confirmation tests are more specific for the substance or medication in question. Shes a conscientious, research-driven writer who cares about deadlines, accuracy, and ethics. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. Diuretics such as furosemide also affect pregnancy test results. It can relieve coughs and runny noses. This may lead to a false-positive pregnancy test. GoodRx is not sponsored by or affiliated with any of the third-party brands identified. Moreover, she can help clarify complex ideas and complicated clinical or technical information in ways that the reader can understand. Phenothiazines and phenothiazine derivatives are antipsychotic medications used to treat psychiatric disorders that can also give false positive results on urine pregnancy tests. Rollins, D.E., et al. Several conditions may cause a false-positive pregnancy test. Its a particularly heartbreaking feeling to see your hopes dashed when you discover that the positive result was a false positive for pregnancy. Investigation of interference by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in urine tests for abused drugs. It is common and can happen for several reasons such as wrongtime of testing or the poor quality of the test kit. Read on to learn more about false positives on home pregnancy tests. Certain complications with implantation of a fertilized egg such as an ectopic pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, or recent miscarriage may cause a misreading. A false positive is when a drug test shows the presence of a medication or substance that you didnt actually take. Key takeaways: Home pregnancy tests are 99% accurate when used correctly. That means it's a sign of something elsesomething that is causing irregular bowel movements. Note:What medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test? But research shows this isnt true. Rapid urine drug screens: diphenhydramine and methadone cross-reactivity. Not using your pregnancy kit properly may result in false positives. Let your medical professional know if you had a spontaneous miscarriage as they may need to assess you. To avoid confusion, you may want to alert the lab or the clinic beforehand that youre on efavirenz. Women unable to ovulate on their own are often prescribed a fertility medication such as Clomid (clomiphene citrate). We avoid using tertiary references. Annals of Emergency Medicine. (2007). You can unsubscribe at any time. Medically reviewed by Sally Chao, MD. Other medications can also cause false-positive pregnancy tests. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. WebAt-home pregnancy tests are pretty damn accurate, right? In rare circumstances, the hCG hormone But on a drug screen, it can make you seem to have used marijuana. The presence of any impurities in your urine sample may also cause a false positive pregnancy test. Most at-home pregnancy tests are dipsticks that are placed in a urine stream. This may be due to various factors. This embryo will continue to produce hCG as long as it is in your body, but it will not develop into a fetus. WebWhat can cause a false urine pregnancy test? This type of ectopic pregnancy is also known as a tubal pregnancy. Multiple medications can cause false positive results. If you get a positive result you can almost certainly assume you are pregnant, at which point you should visit your GP to Its sometimes caused by a chemical pregnancy. As the current pregnancy kits have high sensitivity for hCG hormone, any exogenous hCG administered to the patient may be detected by pregnancy kits. Pregnancy test kits detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that starts to rise when a sperm fertilizes an egg. (2004). Sometimes, certain medications can affect your result, so what are these medications? A chemicalpregnancy occurs when the embryo is not able to implant. In this scenario, the pregnancy test provides a positive result even when there is no pregnancy. Frequency of false positive amphetamine screens due to bupropion using the Syva Emit II Immunoassay. GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Certain medications. Journal of Medical Toxicology. A registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience in oncology, labor/delivery, neonatal intensive care, infertility and ophthalmology, Sharon Perkins has also coauthored and edited numerous health books for the Wiley "Dummies" series. Sometimes an evaporation line can be mistaken for a positive pregnancy test. Before we get into the medications that can cause a false positive result, lets discuss what a urine drug test is and why you might have one. What to Do. The latter is an older tranquilizer drug thats often found in people who overdose on opioids. Healthgrades Can Help. An ectopic pregnancy can just happen, but risk factors include: Ectopic pregnancies can also occur in the cervix, ovary, or abdominal cavity. HCG hormone is secreted by the embryo even when it is not present in the uterus. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and heartburn symptoms. Back to School: Simple Ways to Get Ready for the Week. Gomila, I., et al. As mentioned above, a pregnancy test is used by Its also important to use the test when your urine isnt diluted excessively with water. The best way to try and prevent being confused by an evaporation line is to follow the tests timing directions exactly as theyre given. Goldstein J, et al. If you drink it, you may want to stop a couple of days before your drug test. Tahirah Redhead, MPAS, PA-C, MPH, has reviewed the answers. This is called a false-positive. Note: Since these above mentioned medications affect HCG levels in the urine, it is therefore important to stop taking these medications for a while before taking a pregnancy test. Talk to your provider if youre concerned about false positive test results. Remember that false positives do happen and are not an indication that you cannot become pregnant in the future. A poppy seed bagel, for example, might make you test positive for both of those opioids for up to a whole day after you eat it. (2015). Taking either of these medications may result in a false positive for PCP. Urine hCG tests are most reliable about a week after your missed period. In this scenario, the pregnancy test gives a negative result even when the pregnancy is achieved. What medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test? Trying to figure out if you need to take a pregnancy test? Some medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test result. Home pregnancy tests measure levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in urine. Taking any medication that contains hCG can cause a false-positive result. Drugs that contain the hCG hormone aimed at boosting fertility may impact pregnancy test results. These may include: Rengarajan, A., et al. Urine drug tests: Ordering and interpretation. Even with these safeguards, user error can occur. Examples include: Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) are part of a group of antidepressant medications called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). How Many Weeks into Pregnancy Can You Get an Abortion? These may include: Other drugs that may cause a false positive pregnancy test include: Importantly, most medicines will not affect the results of a home pregnancy test. When a fertilized egg cannot implant completely in the uterus very early on in the pregnancy, it will still produce detectable amounts of hCG. If you take either of these OTC NSAIDs, theres a small chance your urine test may be positive for barbiturates (a type of sedative) or THC. Read on for straight talk from these experts on womens health. What can cause a false positive pregnancy test? Their results are considered reliable, especially when you wait for at least a week after you miss your period to use one. Taking oxaprozin may result in a false positive test for benzodiazepines. Baron, J.M., et al. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 3. False-positive amphetamine toxicology screen results in three pregnant women using labetalol. Its a particularly heartbreaking feeling to see your hopes dashed when you discover that the positive result was a false positive for pregnancy. A pregnancy test is done to determine if women are pregnant or not. It refers to an early pregnancy loss. A false positive result is possible with a rapid COVID-19 test. How Long Until hCG Falls to Zero After Miscarriage? Some drug screens may not be specific enough to tell apart sertraline and benzodiazepines. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. GoodRx works to make its website accessible to all, including those with disabilities. Need a Telehealth Visit? Several of these medications for mental disorders can lead to false positive tests. HCG hormone is secreted by the placental cells after implantation of the fetus. Common hMG medications include Menopur, Pergonal, Using an expired kit can cause false positives. Women ages 35 and older who have been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for 6 months are recommended to seek an infertility evaluation. Submission of this form is subject to Healthgrades, Help Millions of people find the right doctor and care they need, Get immediate care and visit with providers from the comfort of your home, or anywhere, Urgent care centers can be faster and cheaper for situations that are not life threatening, Doctors and patients discuss the latest medical treatments and health tips, Search prescription drugs for why theyre used, side effects and more, Back and Neck Surgery (Except Spinal Fusion), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532950/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6464743/, https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/doing-a-pregnancy-test/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459155/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7117853/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6135366/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539860/, https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/pregnancy-tests.

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what medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test