Toxicology Tests: What Affects The Test
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What Affects the Test
Reasons the results may not be helpful include:
- Some drugs that may be mistaken for others. For example, some cough medicines that do not contain narcotics may be identified as a narcotic.
- Drinking or eating some types of food (such as a food containing poppy seeds).
- Having blood in the urine.
- The amount of time between taking the drug and collecting the sample.
- Using salt tablets, bicarbonates, or detergents.
- Not having a large enough urine sample.
Many medicines may change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the nonprescription and prescription medicines you take.
| Last updated: | May 09, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jeannette Curtis |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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