Question about drug testing before matriculation

[Ilikeshoes]

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Hi SDN,

I am an accepted applicant matriculating in the summer and I have somewhat of a weird question that has just occurred to me about the inevitable drug tests that are performed. I have asthma and I use Bronkaid to prevent intermittent asthma attacks and coughing fits that come up fairly frequently. The active ingredient in Bronkaid is ephedrine, which is a substance that is known to cause false positives for methamphetamine. With that said, ephedrine is regulated but legal to buy OTC.

Will this be a problem for urinalysis tests? I take this medication daily and this just occurred to me.

Mods: I'm not sure if this topic is allowed here, my apologies if it is not.

 

[Spinach Dip]

This is something you should contact the school about. They will be able to give you more information on their policies than we can. (And I'm sure they have plenty of students with asthma!)

 

[Ilikeshoes]

This is something you should contact the school about. They will be able to give you more information on their policies than we can. (And I'm sure they have plenty of students with asthma!)

I'm really uncomfortable asking the school administration about this. I'm an MD/PhD applicant and the accepted pool of most schools range from 5-10 students. It's not hard to figure out who's who. I guess it would raise some eyebrows if one of their accepted applicants started inquiring about drug tests...especially when a certain common study drug also presents itself as an amphetamine.

 

[deleted407021]

It really shouldn't be a problem. Tell them what's going on and they will understand. They have no reason at all to think you are a meth head.

 

[Doctor Strange]

You're being neurotic. You're using a documented medicine prescribed by a physician that is known to have the possibility of giving a false positive on a drug test. If your results come back positive, just show them the prescription.

 

[Ilikeshoes]

You're being neurotic. You're using a documented medicine prescribed by a physician that is known to have the possibility of giving a false positive on a drug test. If your results come back positive, just show them the prescription.

I guess what I'm worried about is that I'm using this without a prescription. I am diagnosed with asthma but I was not prescribed this medication. There's no reason why I would need a prescription for an OTC medication though right?

 

[Beargryllz]

If you trip something on the urinalysis, the lab calls you and asks if you're on any medications. You say yes and give them the name of the medication, then they say "ok"

 

[AGSIII]

As someone who has worked in the drug testing industry. All of the labs are required to conduct confirmations on any positive results. This will weed out (no pun intended) any false positives. You will be fine.

 

[darkjedi]

As far as I'm aware, not that many schools drug test anyway.

I will echo what others have said already and say that you are overreacting.

 

[Ilikeshoes]

As far as I'm aware, not that many schools drug test anyway.

I will echo what others have said already and say that you are overreacting.

Thank you to everyone replying, especially the last few posters. I feel better abou tit now.

darkjedi, I thought all hospitals have to test you before you do work in them? Don't you need to do this kind of stuff before clinical rotations?

 

[Symmetry11]

Wait! Med schools drug test before matriculation?! Which med schools do this?

 

[bakedbeans18]

Dude, you need to go smoke a brick of hash and just chill out.

 

[supermintyfresh]

Wait! Med schools drug test before matriculation?! Which med schools do this?

Why do you sound worried? 😛

Just don't do any drugs the week before orientation and you should be fine. Most of them are urine/saliva and not hair (which can document a much longer history). Also quit any hard drug you have (seek professional help), because you certainly cannot be under the influence while in a hospital.

Here's a previous thread, there's no real "list": http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/what-medical-schools-drug-test.1050252/

 

[masaraksh]

Meth is over the counter now?

Darn, so why did I just spent two years post graduation building my underground meth lab?

 

[Pacna]

If you were going into a field like medicine or veterinary medicine, I think they might understand. As it stands, I say you hide it and bring someone else's urine in a discrete yet stylish thigh bag.

 

[bakedbeans18]

Meth is over the counter now?

Darn, so why did I just spent two years post graduation building my underground meth lab?

So you could switch to a P2P cook?

 

[wanderer]

Most schools don't screen until right before clinicals. And even if they do positives must be confirmed by more accurate tests.

 

[TeethLikeGodsShoeshine]

I guess what I'm worried about is that I'm using this without a prescription. I am diagnosed with asthma but I was not prescribed this medication. There's no reason why I would need a prescription for an OTC medication though right?

I'm pretty sure that inhaler medications (ventolin, albuteral) are not OTC. If this were really the issue you could just go to your PCP and get a damn prescription for your obstructive respiratory illness. Stop with this whole facade and get off the speed at least a week before the drug test.

 

[Reckoner]

I'm pretty sure that inhaler medications (ventolin, albuteral) are not OTC. If this were really the issue you could just go to your PCP and get a damn prescription for your obstructive respiratory illness. Stop with this whole facade and get off the speed at least a week before the drug test.

Luckily the internet exists for those times when you're "pretty sure" about something. Bronkaid is OTC:

http://www.bronkaid.com/en/faqs/index.php

 

[touchpause13]

When you are given a drug test typically they have you list all the medications you are on. Its fine, you are freaking out over nothing

 

[TeethLikeGodsShoeshine]

Luckily the internet exists for those times when you're "pretty sure" about something. Bronkaid is OTC:

http://www.bronkaid.com/en/faqs/index.php

Well, I am quite sorry for my preemptive bashing OP. Working with these drug seekers as an EMT has already left me jaded it seems .