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So I got an offer letter and I have to go do a piss test within 2 days. I don't do drugs and have never done drugs,...however I have a severe deviated septum as well as sinus problems that cause nasal cogestion for which I take Afrin nasal spray a couple of times a day atleast until I have surgery at some point to correct the problem. So I've been reading that Afrin has been known to cause false positives for amphetamines. What should I do exactly? I'm not sure how drug tests work or whether you can notify the testing company of what you've taken so they can double check. I'm just worried that if I put in my two weeks notice and then fail the drug test,...i'll be out of a job.

moose wrote:So I got an offer letter and I have to go do a piss test within 2 days. I don't do drugs and have never done drugs,...however I have a severe deviated septum as well as sinus problems that cause nasal cogestion for which I take Afrin nasal spray a couple of times a day atleast until I have surgery at some point to correct the problem. So I've been reading that Afrin has been known to cause false positives for amphetamines. What should I do exactly? I'm not sure how drug tests work or whether you can notify the testing company of what you've taken so they can double check. I'm just worried that if I put in my two weeks notice and then fail the drug test,...i'll be out of a job.

Last time I took a test they asked me if I was taking any prescription drugs or drugs on a regular basis. They may still do that, but it was a long time ago. Even if not asked, take the spray with you and show them and express some concern about it. They'll handle it I would assume...

First of all, you're probably overreacting. There is a 99% chance that you'll be fine. If you are really worried, drink a shit ton of water (gallon + per day) and/or cranberry juice in the days leading up to your test. I've known kids who have smoked, aqua-loaded for 5 days, and pissed clean. Good luck.

moose wrote:So I got an offer letter and I have to go do a piss test within 2 days. I don't do drugs and have never done drugs,...however I have a severe deviated septum as well as sinus problems that cause nasal cogestion for which I take Afrin nasal spray a couple of times a day atleast until I have surgery at some point to correct the problem. So I've been reading that Afrin has been known to cause false positives for amphetamines. What should I do exactly? I'm not sure how drug tests work or whether you can notify the testing company of what you've taken so they can double check. I'm just worried that if I put in my two weeks notice and then fail the drug test,...i'll be out of a job.

Same thing happened to me with sudafed - just inform them and you'll be fine, don't worry. Also, if you've eaten poppy seeds in the last few days, tell them about that.

(On the other hand, if your deviated septum is from cocaine use, then that could be a problem.)

Unitas wrote:

moose wrote:So I got an offer letter and I have to go do a piss test within 2 days. I don't do drugs and have never done drugs,...however I have a severe deviated septum as well as sinus problems that cause nasal cogestion for which I take Afrin nasal spray a couple of times a day atleast until I have surgery at some point to correct the problem. So I've been reading that Afrin has been known to cause false positives for amphetamines. What should I do exactly? I'm not sure how drug tests work or whether you can notify the testing company of what you've taken so they can double check. I'm just worried that if I put in my two weeks notice and then fail the drug test,...i'll be out of a job.

Last time I took a test they asked me if I was taking any prescription drugs or drugs on a regular basis. They may still do that, but it was a long time ago. Even if not asked, take the spray with you and show them and express some concern about it. They'll handle it I would assume...

+1. Just disclose it.

amorfati wrote:

moose wrote:So I got an offer letter and I have to go do a piss test within 2 days. I don't do drugs and have never done drugs,...however I have a severe deviated septum as well as sinus problems that cause nasal cogestion for which I take Afrin nasal spray a couple of times a day atleast until I have surgery at some point to correct the problem. So I've been reading that Afrin has been known to cause false positives for amphetamines. What should I do exactly? I'm not sure how drug tests work or whether you can notify the testing company of what you've taken so they can double check. I'm just worried that if I put in my two weeks notice and then fail the drug test,...i'll be out of a job.

Same thing happened to me with sudafed - just inform them and you'll be fine, don't worry. Also, if you've eaten poppy seeds in the last few days, tell them about that.

(On the other hand, if your deviated septum is from cocaine use, then that could be a problem.)

poppy seeds = myth

Do you have a copy of your prescription? A doctor's note and a proper prescription would help clarify any false positives.

There's a list of, like, hundreds of OTC and legal prescription drugs that can cause false positives, and the labs know them all. A good lab will have a low rate of false positives. I'm pretty sure they still ask if you're taking any medications, so definitely disclose it. Take the Afrin with you. Being up front is much better than trying to explain away an unexpected positive result after the fact.

By the way, there's a reason they tell you not to take Afrin for more than a couple of days. The rebound Rhinitis medicamentosa that can result is not fun.

Unitas wrote:Last time I took a test they asked me if I was taking any prescription drugs or drugs on a regular basis. They may still do that, but it was a long time ago. Even if not asked, take the spray with you and show them and express some concern about it. They'll handle it I would assume...

Every drug test I've taken has always asked me if I'm taking any prescriptions. You'll be fine.

Never done drugs, yet you have a deviated septum. hmmmm...

Also, it's pretty doubtful that they will even test your piss for amphetamines.

Patriot1208 wrote:Also, it's pretty doubtful that they will even test your piss for amphetamines.

Amphetamines are a part of the standard NIDA-5 panel test (cocaine, PCP, amphetamines, opiates, and marijuana) the most commonly used drug test, I can guarantee you the test he took includes amphetamines

moose wrote:So I got an offer letter and I have to go do a piss test within 2 days. I don't do drugs and have never done drugs,...however I have a severe deviated septum as well as sinus problems that cause nasal cogestion for which I take Afrin nasal spray a couple of times a day atleast until I have surgery at some point to correct the problem. So I've been reading that Afrin has been known to cause false positives for amphetamines. What should I do exactly? I'm not sure how drug tests work or whether you can notify the testing company of what you've taken so they can double check. I'm just worried that if I put in my two weeks notice and then fail the drug test,...i'll be out of a job.

not here to judge any drug use, OTC or otherwise--

But you have to tell them you use Afrin regularly. If you want to get into it you can tell them it is under a doctor's supervision. What people do not understand is that false positives for a number of OTC drugs occur on a regular basis, and often this can cost someone a job as tests are too sensitive. Do what others say, drink a bunch of water and disclose all OTC and prescription medications. You would be surprised at the types of medicines cause positives, such as ibuprofen.

rinkrat19 wrote:By the way, there's a reason they tell you not to take Afrin for more than a couple of days. The rebound Rhinitis medicamentosa that can result is not fun.

This! I wouldn't worry about the drug test, but for god's sake go see a doctor.

dr123 wrote:

Patriot1208 wrote:Also, it's pretty doubtful that they will even test your piss for amphetamines.

Amphetamines are a part of the standard NIDA-5 panel test (cocaine, PCP, amphetamines, opiates, and marijuana) the most commonly used drug test, I can guarantee you the test he took includes amphetamines

Hmm, I was under the impression that amphetamines weren't included in the standard test. My bad.

ogurty wrote:

rinkrat19 wrote:By the way, there's a reason they tell you not to take Afrin for more than a couple of days. The rebound Rhinitis medicamentosa that can result is not fun.

This! I wouldn't worry about the drug test, but for god's sake go see a doctor.

Seconded. I once was on Afrin, self-administered for a routine sinus congestion/cold, for three weeks straight. The dose is supposed to last 12 hours, it was barely lasting four.

Basically, you get both rebound congestion AND the medicine becomes less effective because it acts on receptors in your nasal epithelium by down-regulating them, so the more you use it the fewer active sites exist for the medicine to act upon. Bottom line, as I was told by my doctor, quit it cold turkey if you can, but if not (which is what I did) buy the real Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) 12-hour 120mg pills from behind your pharmacy counter and take those as directed for a couple of days.

I'm taking Afrin as directed by my ENT until I get a CT sinus scan. Reason being that he wants as little congestion as possible for a proper reading of my sinus structure. I'm aware of the limits.

dr123 wrote:Never done drugs, yet you have a deviated septum. hmmmm...

My ENT tells me its quite common.

moose wrote:So I got an offer letter and I have to go do a piss test within 2 days. I don't do drugs and have never done drugs,...however I have a severe deviated septum as well as sinus problems that cause nasal cogestion for which I take Afrin nasal spray a couple of times a day atleast until I have surgery at some point to correct the problem. So I've been reading that Afrin has been known to cause false positives for amphetamines. What should I do exactly? I'm not sure how drug tests work or whether you can notify the testing company of what you've taken so they can double check. I'm just worried that if I put in my two weeks notice and then fail the drug test,...i'll be out of a job.

--ImageRemoved--

does this really need to be a thread?

What drugs do they want you to test & why ?

fetalposition wrote:

amorfati wrote:

moose wrote:So I got an offer letter and I have to go do a piss test within 2 days. I don't do drugs and have never done drugs,...however I have a severe deviated septum as well as sinus problems that cause nasal cogestion for which I take Afrin nasal spray a couple of times a day atleast until I have surgery at some point to correct the problem. So I've been reading that Afrin has been known to cause false positives for amphetamines. What should I do exactly? I'm not sure how drug tests work or whether you can notify the testing company of what you've taken so they can double check. I'm just worried that if I put in my two weeks notice and then fail the drug test,...i'll be out of a job.

Same thing happened to me with sudafed - just inform them and you'll be fine, don't worry. Also, if you've eaten poppy seeds in the last few days, tell them about that.

(On the other hand, if your deviated septum is from cocaine use, then that could be a problem.)

poppy seeds = myth

mythbusters tested it and said that if you eat a huge amount you can get a positive drug test. however, the amount was so big that nobody would eat that many poppy seeds without a conscious effort.

zanda wrote:

fetalposition wrote:

amorfati wrote:

moose wrote:So I got an offer letter and I have to go do a piss test within 2 days. I don't do drugs and have never done drugs,...however I have a severe deviated septum as well as sinus problems that cause nasal cogestion for which I take Afrin nasal spray a couple of times a day atleast until I have surgery at some point to correct the problem. So I've been reading that Afrin has been known to cause false positives for amphetamines. What should I do exactly? I'm not sure how drug tests work or whether you can notify the testing company of what you've taken so they can double check. I'm just worried that if I put in my two weeks notice and then fail the drug test,...i'll be out of a job.

Same thing happened to me with sudafed - just inform them and you'll be fine, don't worry. Also, if you've eaten poppy seeds in the last few days, tell them about that.

(On the other hand, if your deviated septum is from cocaine use, then that could be a problem.)

poppy seeds = myth

mythbusters tested it and said that if you eat a huge amount you can get a positive drug test. however, the amount was so big that nobody would eat that many poppy seeds without a conscious effort.

i eat a shitload of poppy seeds, but i do it to get high, so i guess it's fair that i fail a drug test.

paulinaporizkova wrote:does this really need to be a thread?

seriously, the thread is fucking asbergers. almost as bad as the thread about how a credit score lower than 720 will auto-ding u from most V20s.

zanda wrote: mythbusters tested it and said that if you eat a huge amount you can get a positive drug test. however, the amount was so big that nobody would eat that many poppy seeds without a conscious effort.

Some people have a genetic variance that makes them eliminate opioid metabolites at a slower rate then most people, so in the very rare event you were one of them, and you really, really, liked poppy seeds, you could trip a false positive. But generally speaking, Mythbusters is right.

As for the OP: you are not going to trip a false positive from Afrin. Don't sweat it.