False Positives Often Send Innocent People To Jail

While many of today’s medical tests are accurate, false negative or positives do occur.

The problem of false test results are so numerous the National Institute of Health issued a whitepaper on the subject in August 2010. The paper says:

A false negative is a test result that indicates a person does not have a disease or condition when the person actually does have it, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). Aug 16, 2010

False positive: A result that indicates that a given condition is present when it is not. An example of a false positive would be if a particular test designed to detect cancer returns a positive result but the person does not have ‘cancer.

She Lost Her Home, Her Job And Her Children

Amy and Nigel had been dating for just a few weeks. The 37-year-old Las Vegas waitress had met the charmer when he had spent a few nights at a famous Las Vegas hotel and the two started dating the next day.

Several weeks later, they were pulled over by a Las Vegas Metro police officer for failing to signal a lane change.

While talking with Amy, who had been driving, the officer spotted a white powder on the passenger side floor — between Nigel’s feet. Ordering them out of the car, the officers opened the trunk of his patrol car and retrieved a small plastic pouch containing a vial of pink liquid. Opening the lid the officer dropped a small sample of the white, powdery substance into the vial. When the mixture turned blue, Amy was arrested.

Booked into the Cook County Jail as a felony arrestee, she was charged with felony drug possession and faced major problems. Nigel disappeared and Amy would never see him again.

Amy knew she didn’t have drugs in the car. To avoid two-years in Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center, she accepted a plea bargain that would put her in city lock up for 45 days and be released after serving half of that time.

Because she was now a convicted felon, Amy lost her apartment, her job and her ex-husband got custody of her two sons.

Is It A Drug Or A Cleaning Solvent?

The field tests seem simple, but a lot can go wrong. Some tests, including the one the Las Vegas police officer used to analyze the power on the floor of Amy’s car, use a single tube of a chemical called cobalt thiocyanate, which turns blue when it is exposed to cocaine.

But cobalt thiocyanate also turns blue when it is exposed to more than 80 other compounds, including methadone, certain acne medications and several common household cleaners. Other tests use three tubes, which the officer can break in a specific order to rule out everything but the drug in question — but if the officer breaks the tubes in the wrong order, that, too, can invalidate the results.

The environment can also present problems. Cold weather slows the color development; heat speeds it up, or sometimes prevents a color reaction from taking place at all. Poor lighting on the street — flashing police lights, sun glare, street lamps — often prevents officers from making the fine distinctions that could make the difference between an arrest and a release.

What does false positive rate mean?

When performing multiple comparisons in a statistical framework such as above, the false positive ratio (also known as the false alarm ratio, as opposed to false positive rate / false alarm rate ) usually refers to the probability of falsely rejecting the null hypothesis for a particular test.

What causes a false positive?

In very rare cases, you can have a false-positive result. This means you’re not pregnant but the test says you are. You could have a false-positive result if blood or protein is present in your urine. And certain drugs, such as tranquilizers, anticonvulsants, or hypnotics, may also cause false-positive results.

What is a false positive example?

A false positive is where you receive a positive result for a test, when you should have received a negative results. It’s sometimes called a “false alarm” or “false positive error.” It’s usually used in the medical field, but it can also apply to other arenas (like software testing).Apr 2, 2015

What drugs can cause a false positive for benzodiazepines?

Doxylamine, found in Unisom and other over the counter sleep aids (similar to diphenhydramine), may cause a false positive on a drug test for methadone, opiates, and PCP. Sertraline (Zoloft) is an antidepressant and if you’ve taken it, you may test positive for benzodiazepines and LSD.

What Common Products Can Cause A False Positive?

Listed below are products reported to cause a false positive drug test result. With your help, this will grow into a comprehensive list. Last updated, January 2, 2008.

Substances that cause false positives

4-Way Nasal Spray – false positive for Amphetamines, Morphine     )

Accutrim – False positive for Ecstasy (MDMA), Meth

Acetaminoph w/codeine – false positive for Morphine

Acet-AM – False positive for Amphetamines, Heroin, Opiates

Acro-Lase Plus® contains barbiturates

A.P.C. w/codeine – False positive for Morphine

A.R.M. – false positive for Amphetamines

Actifed – false positive for Amphetamines    2, 3, 7, 18)

Actifed with Codeine Cough Syrup®

Adderall® – is an amphetamine, positive for Meth    2008 PDR, 18, 19)

Advil – False positive for THC, Marijuana    14, 16, 18, 20, 26, 29) (Ref. 22 says NO)

Afrin – False positive for Ecstasy (MDMA), Meth

Aleve – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Alka-Seltzer – false positive for Amphetamines     )

Alka-Selzer Plus – false positive for Amphetamines, Morphine     )

Allerest – false positive for Amphetamines, Ecstasy, Meth and Morphine    2, 3, 7, 11, 16, 18)

Alprazolam contains benzodiazepines

Amantadine

Ambenyl contains codeine

Amesec – False positive for Amphetamines, Heroin, Opiates

Amfepramone – False positive for Amphetamines, Ecstasy (MDMA), Meth

Amifepramone – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy    3, 11)

Amineptine – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Amitriptyline – false positive for LSD

Amogel PG® contains opium/morphine

Amoxicillin – False positive for cocaine    13, 16, 18, 20, 21, 26, 29)

Ampicillin – false positive for cocaine

Amphetaminil metabolizes to amphetamine

Ampicin – can cause false positive for opiates

Anaprox – False positive for THC, Marijuana    3, 18

Ansaid – false positive for marijuana

Anti Anxiety medication, most – false positive for benzodiazepines

Anti Inflammatories such as Naproxyn    26)

Antiasthmatics that contain phenobarbital – false positive for barbiturates

Antibiotics – False positives for Heroin, Cocaine    13, 18, 20)

Antrocol Elixor® contains barbiturates

Apo-Naproxen – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Artane – false positive for LSD

Ascriptin w/codeine – False positive for Morphine

Aspirin with Codeine

Asthma medications – false positives for Amphetamines and Ecstasy    20, 21)

Astramoprh PF ® contains morphine

Ativan® contains benzodiazepines

B2 vitamin – False positive for THC    21)

Bayer Select Maximum Strength Sinus Pain Relief Caplets – false positive for Amphetamines

Bayer Select Pain Relief Formula – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Bentyl® – false positive for LSD

Benylin – false positive for Opioids

benztropine/Artane®

Benzedrine® Amphetamines

Benzphetamine – false positives for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Biphetamine® for Amphetamines

Black Pearls (Tung Sheuh pills) contain benzodiazepines

Broncholate CS contains codeine

Bromocriptine/Parlodel®

Bromocriptine – false positive for LSD

Brompheniramine – False-Positive for Amphetamine

Bronkaid – False positive for Amphetamines, Heroin, Opiates, Ecstasy, Meth    3, 16, 18)

Bronkotabs – False positive for Amphetamines, Heroin, Opiates    11)

Buprenex® contains synthetic opiates

Buprenorphine contains synthetic opiates

Bupropion (Wellbutrin) – false positive for Amphetamines    12, 31, 32)

Cafergot® – false positive for LSD

Caldecon – false positive for Amphetamines, Morphine     ,)

Capital and Codeine Oral Solution – false positive for Opioids

Captagon® metabolized to amphetamine

Cathne – false positives for Amphetamines, Meth and Ecstasy (MDMA)

Cheracol contains codeine

Cheracol Sinus – false positive for Amphetamines

Chlordiazepoxide contains benzodiazepines

Chlorpromazine – False-Positive for Amphetamine    22, 26)

Chlorpromazine – False positive for Opiates (Also false for pregnancy)    23, 32)

Cipro (antibiotic) – false positives for opiates    25, 32)

Clinafloxacin –

Clinoril – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Clobenzorex – false positives for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Clonazepam contains benzodiazepines

Codeine – false positives for Amphetamines    14)

Codeine – will test positive (not false) for opiates

Codinal PH® contains codeine

Coffee-Break – False positive for Morphine

Cold remedies with dextromethorphan – positive for opiates (heroin)    21)

Combivent inhaler – false positive for meth in urine tests    19)

Comtrex – false positive for Opioids

Concerta – false positive for meth in urine tests

Contac – false positive for Amphetamines, Morphine

Contact – false positives for Amphetamines, Meth and Ecstasy

Contact Non-Drowsy Formula Sinus Caplets – false positive for Amphetamines

Control – False positive for Morphine

Cough medicines – See if any ingredients are on this list

Cough suppressants with Dextromethorphan (DXM) – false positive for Heroin (MDMA)    16)

Cramp End Tablets – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Cylert – false positives for Amphetamines and Ecstasy    3, 11)

Dalmane® contains benzodiazepines

Datril – false positives for Marijuana

Darvon® contains synthetic opiates

Daypro – false positives for benzodiazepines    34)

Deconsal contains codeine

Demerol – tests positive for opiates

Deprenyl – false positives for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Desipramine

Desoxyephedrine – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Desoyn® contains d-methamphetamine

Det aids with phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim, Accutrim) – false positive for Amphetamines

Dexatrim – False positive for Ecstasy (MDMA), Meth

Dexdenfluramine – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy    3, 11)

Dexedrine is an Amphetamine

Dexfenfluramine – false positive for Amphetamines    3, 11)

Dextroamphetamine – false positive for Amphetamines

Dextromethorphan hydrobromide or DXM – False positives for amphetamines    6, 11)

Dextromethorphan – False positive for Heroin, Opiates, Morphine    3, 16, 21, 26, 29, 32)

DHEA – false positive for anabolic steroid use    13)

Diabetes – False positives for Amphetamines, Cocaine, THC, Ecstasy, Meth and Opiates    3, 15, 16, 20, 21)

Diabismul® contains opium/morphine

Diasepam – false positive for PCP

Diazepam (generic name for Valium) – contains benzodiazepines    18, 20, 26)

Dicyclomine

Didrex – false positive for Amphetamines    3, 11)

Diet aids with phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim, Accutrim) – false positive for amphetamines    2, 10, 16)

Dietac – False positive for Morphine     )

Dihyrocodeine contains synthetic opiates

Dilantin – false positives for Barbiturates

Dilaudid® contains synthetic opiates

Dimetane-DC Cough Syrup ® contains codeine

Dimetapp – false positive for Morphine, Meth, Ecstasy     , 11, 16, 18)

Dimethylamphetamine metabolizes to methamphetamine and amphetamine

Dietac – false positive for Amphetamines    7)

Dimetapp – false positive for Amphetamines    3, 7)

Dinintel® metabolizes to amphetamine

Diphenhydramine – false positive PCP results    24)

Doco children’s cough syrup – false positive for Opioids

Dolobid – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Dolophine® contains synthetic opiates

Donnagel-PG ® contains opium/morphine

Donnatal® contains barbiturates

Donnatol (for irritable bowel syndrome) – false positive for barbiturates

Dormonocet® contains benzodiazepines

Dristan Cold caplets – false positive for Amphetamines

Dristan Cough Formula – false positive for Heroin, Opiates, Morphine    18)

Dristan Nasal Spray – false positive for Amphetamines

Drixoral Cold and Flu – false positive for Amphetamines

Dronabad®

Dronabinol (Marinol) – False positives for THC    16, 18)

Duramorph® contains morphine

Durophet® Amphetamines

Edecrin – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Efavirenz – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Effexor Tablets (venlafaxine hydrochloride) – false positive for PCP    27, 33)

Efidac/24 – false positive for Amphetamines

Efotamine – false positive for LSD

Elavil – False positives for opiates for up to three days, LSD    3, 26, 29)

Eldepryl – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy    3, 11)

Elderpryl® metabolizes to methamphetamine and amphetamine

Emprin with Codeine®

Ephedrol, Ephedra (Ma Haung) – False positive for Amphetamines, Heroin, Opiates

Ephedrine – false positive for Amphetamines, Meth, and Ecstasy    2, 3, 11, 16, 18, 29, 30, 32)

Empirin w/codeine – false positive for Morphine, Opioids    3, 20)

Enoxacin – false-positive for opiates    25, 28)

Ergostat® – false positive for LSD

Ergotamine

Estasule Minus – False positive for Amphetamines, Heroin, Opiates

Etafediabe – false positive for Amphetamines, Meth and Ecstasy

Ethylamphetamine metabolizes to amphetamine

Excedrin IB – False positives for Marijuana (Cannabis) THC

Ephedra – false positives for Amphetamines and Ecstasy    20,

Ephedrine-based compounds – false positives for Amphetamines and Ecstasy    20,

Famprofazone – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Feldene – False positives for THC

Fencamine metabolizes to methamphetamine and amphetamine

Fenelylline – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Fenfluramine – false positive for Ecstasy    3, 11)

Fenoprofin – false positive for Marijuana, Amphetamines, Barbiturates    7)

Fenproporex metabolizes to amphetamine

Fenproyorex – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy    3, 11)

Finedal® metabolizes to amphetamine

Fioricet with Codeine®

Fiorinal w/codeine – false positive for Morphine    3, 18, 20)

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics – false positive for opiates    28, 32)

Fluoxetine – false positives for amphetamines

Flurazepam contains benzodiazepines

Flurbiprofen – false positive for marijuana

Fluriprofen®

Fluspirilene may test positive for amphetamines    26)

Furfenorex metabolizes to methamphetamine and amphetamine

Gatifloxacin

Genpril – false positive for THC, Marijuana

Gradumet® contains d-methamphetamine

Haltran – false positive for THC, Marijuana

Hamantashen may test positive for opiates.    13)

Hempseed Oil – false positive for THC    3, 16, 21, 29)

Hold Cough Suppressant – false positive for Heroin, Opiates, Morphine

Homatropine Methylbromide contains synthetic opiates

Hycodan® contains synthetic opiates

Hydergine – false positive for LSD

Hydrocodone Bitartrate contains synthetic opiates

Hydrocodone contains synthetic opiates

Hydromorphone contains synthetic opiates

Hydroymethamphetamone – false positive for Amphetamines

Ibuprin – false positive for marijuana

Ibuprofen – False positive for Marijuana (THC)    3, 16, 18, 29) (Ref. 22 says NO)

Ifenoprofen – False positive for THC, Marijuana    3, 13, 18, 21, 26)

Imitrex Hydergine®

Indocin – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Infantol Pink ® contains opium/morphine

Infumorf contains morphine

Isoclor Expectorant contains codeine

Kaoden with Codeine®

Kaodene with Paregoric® contains opium/morphine

Kenesed® contains barbiturates

Ketamine – False positive for PCP    16, 32)

Ketoprofen – False positive for THC

Kidney disease – false positive for Cocaine    3, 16, 20)

Kidney infection – false positive for Amphetamines, THC, Ecstasy, and Opiates    3, 15, 16, 21)

Klonopin® contains benzodiazepines

Levofloxacin (antibiotic) – false positives for opiates    25, 28)

Libritab® contains benzodiazepines

Librium® contains benzodiazepines

Limbitrol® contains benzodiazepines

Lisuride – false positive for LSD

Lisuride/Dopergin®

Liver Disease – false positive for Opiates, Ecstasy, THC and Amphetamines    3, 15, 16, 20, 21)

Lodine – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Lomefloxacin

Loprazolam contains benzodiazepines

Lorazepam contains benzodiazepines

Lortab – an opioid analgesic (PDF)

Luminal® contains barbiturates

Lysergol – false positive for LSD

Ma Huang (Ephedra sinica) – false positives for Amphetamines and Ecstasy    20, 32)

Marax – False positive for Ecstasy (MDMA), Meth

Margestic – false positive for Opioids

Marinol® false positive for Marijuana (THC)

Maximum Strength Sinus Gelcaps

Maximum Strength Sine-aid – false positive for Amphetamines

Maximum Strength Sudafed Sinus – false positive for Amphetamines

Maximum Strength Tylenol Sinus gelcaps – false positive for Amphetamines

Meclomen – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Mediprim – False positive for marijuana

Medipren – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Mefenorex – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Menstrual cramp medications like Midol and Trendar    26)

Mephentermine – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy    3, 11)

Mesocarb – false positive for Meth and Ecstasy

Methadone contains synthetic opiates

Methoxyphenamine – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy    3, 11)

Methphenidate – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy    11)

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is an Amphetamine    3, 18, 32)

Methysergide/Sansert®

Methysergiside – False positive for LSD

Midol – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Mini-thins – false positives for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Morazone – false positive for Meth and Ecstasy

Morax – False positive for Amphetamines, Heroin, Opiates

Motrin – False positive for THC, Marijuana    3, 16, 18, 20, 26, 29)

Moxifloxacin

MS Contin Tablets® contains morphine

MSIR® contains morphine

Mudrane GC® contains barbiturates

Naldecon – False positive for Morphine

Nalfon – False positive for Marijuana, Amphetamines, Barbituates, Benzodiazephines, Methaqualone    3, 7, 18)

Naprosyn – False positive for THC, Marijuana    3, 18)

Naproxen (Aleve) – False positive for THC, Marijuana    3, 16, 21)

Naproxyn    26)

Nasal sprays (Vicks inhaler, Afrin) – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Navonaprox – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Nembutal Sodium contains barbiturates

Neosynephren – false positive reading for Amphetamines

Neosynephrine – False positive for Amphetamines

No Drowsiness Sinarest Tablets

Nonprescription products that contain opium (i.e., morphine)

Norfloxacin

Novahistine DH® contains codeine

Novahistine Expectorant® contains codeine

NSAIDS – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Nucofed Expectorant contains codeine

Numorphan® contains synthetic opiates

Nuprin – False positive for THC

Nyquil – false positive for Amphetamines, Heroin, Opiates, Morphine, Meth, Ecstasy

Obetrol® Amphetamines

Ofloxacin (antibiotic) – false positives for opiates

Oramorph contains morphine

Ornade – False positive for Amphetamines

Ortain – false positive for Amphetamines

Orudis KT – False positives for THC

Orudis®

OTC diet aids with phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim, Accutrim)

Over-the-counter nasal sprays (See Vicks inhaler, Afrin)

Oxaprozin – False positive for THC, Marijuana, Benzodiazepines

Oxazepam contains benzodiazepines

Oxycodone contains synthetic opiates

Oxymorphone contains synthetic opiates

Pamprin® – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Paracodine® contains synthetic opiates

Paregoric contains opium/morphine

Par-Glycerol-C (CV) contains codeine

Pedacare – False positive for Opioids

Pediacof® contains codeine

Pefloxacin – false positive for Opiates

Pemoline – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Pentobarbital Sodium contains barbiturates

Percocet – will test positive (not false) for opiates

Percodan® contains synthetic opiates

Percovil – will test positive (not false) for opiates

Perylamine

Phenaphen with Codeine®

Phendimetrazine – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Phenergan-D

Phenegan-D – False positive for Amphetamines, Ecstasy (MDMA), Meth

Phenergan VC® contains codeine

Phenergan with Codeine®

Phenergan® – False positive for THC

Phenobarbital contains barbiturates

Phenmetrazine – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Phentermine – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy on urine tests

Phenylephrine – False positive for Amphetamines

Phenylpropanolamine – false positive for amphetamines

Phenylephrine – false positive for Amphetamines

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) – False positive for Meth

Phenypropanolamine – false positive reading for Amphetamines

Phenypropan-Olamine – false positive for Amphetamines     ) (This is an active ingredient in Actifed, Alka-Seltzer, Alka-Selzer Plus, Allerest, Caldecon, Contac, Dietac, Dimetapp, 4-Way Nasal Spray, Ortain, Sinarest, Triaminicin)

Pholedrine – false positive for Amphetamines, Meth and Ecstasy

Poly-Histine contains codeine

Pondinil® metabolizes to amphetamine

Poppy Seeds contain morphine – positive for Heroin (MDMA), Opiates

Prenylamine metabolizes to amphetamine

Prescription medications that contain codeine

Prescription NSAIDS

Prescription sleeping pills will test positive for Benzodiazepines

Primatene-M

Primatine Tablets – False positive for Ecstasy (MDMA), Meth

Promethazine – False positive for THC

Promethegan – False positive for THC

Propanolamine

Propoxyphene contains synthetic opiates

Propylephedrine – false positive for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Pseudoephederine – false positives for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Pseudoephedrine may be detected as amphetamines (speed)

Pseudoephedrineare – false positive for amphetamines

Purim cookies contain poppy seeds, false positive for opiates

Quadrinal® – False positive for Amphetamines, Heroin, Opiates

Quelidrine – False positive for Amphetamines, Heroin, Opiates

Quelichine – False positive for Amphetamines, Heroin, Opiates

Quibron Plus – False positive for Amphetamines, Heroin, Opiates

Quinine in Tonic water – positive for opiates

Quinolones

Ranitidine – false positive for Amphetamines

Redux – false positive for Amphetamines, Meth and Ecstasy

Relafen – False positive for Marijuana

Rescudose contains morphine

Rexatal® contains barbiturates

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) – False positive for THC

Rifampin – False positive for Opiates

Rifampicin (antibiotic) – False positive for Opioids

Ritalin® is an Amphetamine

Rivotril® contains benzodiazepines

Robitussin – positive for opiates

Robitussin A-C® contains codeine

Robitussin Cold and Flu – False positive for Ecstasy (MDMA), Meth

Robitussin DAC® contains codeine

Robitussin DM – false positive for Heroin, Opiates, Morphine

Romilar – false positive for Heroin, Opiates, Morphine

Roxanol contains morphine

Rufin – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Secobarbital contains barbiturates

Secobarbital Sodium Bellergal-S® contains barbiturates

Seconal Sodium contains barbiturates

Selegiline (Eldepryl) – false positive for Meth, Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Serax® contains benzodiazepines

Shampoo containing hemp

Silexin – false positive for Heroin, Opiates, Morphine

Sinarest – false positive for Amphetamines, Morphine     )

Sine-Aid Tablets Maximum Strength

Sine-Off – False positive for Morphine

Sinex – False positive for Amphetamines

Sinubid – False positive for Morphine

Sinus Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets – False positive for Amphetamines

Solfoton® contains barbiturates

Soma with Codeine

Sparfloxacin

St. Joseph’s Cough Syrup – false positive for Heroin, Opiates, Morphine

Sudafed – false positive for Amphetamines, Meth and Ecstasy

Synalgos DC® contains synthetic opiates

Tanning lotion containing hemp

Tavist-D – false positive for Meth and Ecstasy

Tedral – False positive for Amphetamines, Heroin, Opiates

Tegisec® metabolizes to amphetamine

Tolectin® – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Tonic water – False positive for cocaine

Trazedone

Trendar Cramp Relief Formula – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Triaminic 12 – False positive for Amphetamines

Triaminic Expectorant with Codeine®

TriazolamHalcion® contains benzodiazepines

Triaminicin – false positive for Amphetamines, Morphine

Triminicol – False positive for Morphine

Triprolidine – False positive for LSD

Trucal – false positive for Heroin, Opiates, Morphine

Tussagesic – False positive for Morphine

Tussaminic – false positive for Heroin, Opiates, Morphine

Tussar 2® contains codeine

Tussar SF® contains codeine

Tussi-Organiden contains codeine

Tussinic – False positive for Heroin, Opiates, Morphine

Tylenol (acetaminophen) with Codeine®

Tylenol 3 – can cause false positive for opiates

Tylenol 4 – can cause false positive for opiates

Tylenol Sinus – false positives for Amphetamines and Ecstasy

Valium® contains benzodiazepines

Valrelease® contains benzodiazepines

Venlafaxine hydrochloride – false positive for PCP

Vicks Formula 44M – false positive for heroin

Vicks Cough Syrup – false positive for Heroin, Opiates, Morphine

Vicks Inhaler – False positive for Ecstasy (MDMA), Meth

Vicks Nasal Spray

Vicks Nyquil – False positive for Ecstasy (MDMA), Meth

Vicodin ES® contains synthetic opiates

Vitamin B2 – False positive for THC

Voltaren – False positive for THC, Marijuana

Wellbutrin – false positive for Amphetamines

Wigraine® – False positive for LSD

Wygesic – will test positive (not false) for opiates

Xanax® contains benzodiazepines

Zantac – false positive for Amphetamines

Zoloft – false positive for benzodiazepines

The Takeaway

Amy eventually landing a job as a bartender at the restaurant attached to a Holiday Inn near the university in Las Vegas. Includign tips, she was making about $15,000 a year, but she liked her co-workers and her boss was impressed.

He tired to promote her to shift supervisor, but the promotion was turned down when a background check by the hotel chain’s corporate office turned up the drug conviction. She was allowed to pour drinks, but that was all.

Today Amy remembers how desperate she was to stay out of prison naively believing that the punishment for pleading guilty would end her sentence.

“No,” she says. “You’re not ever free and clear of it. It follows you everywhere you go.”