Toxicology Tests
Drug Screening Test
What Affects the Test
Reasons the results may not be helpful include:
- Some drugs that may be mistaken for others. For example, some cough medications 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 non-prescription and prescription medicines you take.
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| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC | Last Updated: August 28, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Test Overview | |
| Why It Is Done | |
| How To Prepare | |
| How It Is Done | |
| How It Feels | |
| Risks | |
| Results | |
 | What Affects the Test |
| What To Think About | |
| References | |
| Credits | |