A false-positive pregnancy test can occur when you have a severe urinary tract infection. Can Other drugs that may cause a false positive pregnancy test include: 6 Antipsychotics often used to treat schizophrenia, such as perphenazine, prochlorperazine, chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, thioridazine, and thiothixene The anti-seizure/anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine used for epilepsy, facial nerve pain, and bipolar disorder Taking oxaprozin may result in a false positive test for benzodiazepines. You can mistake an evaporation line for a false positive pregnancy test. Giving birth is as individual as you are, so here are some answers to help set the record straight. User error, medical conditions, and certain medications can cause false These medications usually wont interfere with your drug screens. Patients in medical treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Are they at risk in drug screening?. WebWhat are other conditions that can cause a positive test for hCG aside from pregnancy? Find qualified telemedicine providers for a variety of symptoms and conditions. The same thing could happen even with alcohol-based hand sanitizers if you use them regularly. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. Their results are considered reliable, especially when you wait for at least a week after you miss your period to use one. Menopause can also affect the pituitary, leading to HCG production and false positive pregnancy tests. For example, hCG is likely to be detected if Drug Enforcement Administration. Medications. Logan, B.K., et al. Shes dependable, versatile, flexible, and detail-oriented. Todays drug tests can detect even trace amounts of alcohol, and for longer after exposure. Taking either of these medications may result in a false positive for PCP. In some cases, though, running a second test may not be possible. The pregnancy test can be done on blood or urine. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg attaches somewhere outside the uterus. However, if youre undergoing fertility treatments that require taking certain medications, you may have detectable hCG (from the medication) that can lead to a Current time: 05/01/2023 09:39:10 a.m. UTC By providing your email address, you agree to receive emails containing coupons, refill reminders and promotional messages from GoodRx. Learn about the rare reasons for a false-positive pregnancy test. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. During early pregnancy, the amount of HCG in blood and urine rises quickly doubling every There are also a few medications that can interfere with the result. Note:What medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test? She has worked with ground and helicopter ambulances (CCP-C, CFRN), ER, ICU, primary care, specialty care, psychiatric, and wilderness medicine. You might be surprised by certain symptoms that the first trimester of pregnancy can bring. Interpreting Faint Lines on a Pregnancy Test. Other drugs that may cause a false positive pregnancy test include: Get updates on vaccine and testing access, and changes to care. (2013). Several of these medications for mental disorders can lead to false positive tests. The faulty test result could happen for several days after you quit your antidepressant. Some reports have also shown that diphenhydramine may turn a drug test positive for PCP. (1990). Into astrology? Extreme blood loss or loss of the reproductive organs can occur. One of the fallopian tubes is a common area for an ectopic pregnancy to implant. WebWhat can cause a false urine pregnancy test? Sometimes an evaporation line can be mistaken for a positive pregnancy test. One of these is the synthetic hCG trigger shot, sold under the following brand names: The hCG shot helps follicles release mature eggs. (2014). Diuretics, medications that reduce the amount of fluid in the body, can sometimes cause a false positive pregnancy result on a urine test, according to the Blood pregnancy tests can also detect hCG earlier and more accurately than a urine pregnancy test. Summary: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify false-positive UDSs associated with all clinic formulary medications, as well as common nonprescription A false-positive might happen if you had a pregnancy loss soon after the fertilized egg attached to the uterine lining.You also may get a false-positive if you take a pregnancy test soon after taking fertility medicine that contains HCG . If you miss your period but get a negative pregnancy test, there are a number of possible explanations. Pacific Fertility Center: Progesterone 101. A chemical pregnancy occurs if a fertilized egg, known as the embryo, is unable to implant, or grow, very early on. An evaporation line is the mark left by urine after it evaporates completely from the test. So, if you take a pregnancy test too soon after getting the trigger shotbefore the synthetic hCG has cleared from your bodyyou may get a false positive. In rare circumstances, the hCG hormone How Medications Can Affect Pregnancy Test Results. What Can Cause a False Positive Drug Test - WebMD Now you know the answer, and it is important to talk to your doctor when you are not sure if you are really pregnant or have received false positives. Confirmation tests are more specific for the substance or medication in question. Casey, E.R., et al. Commonly prescribed medications and potential false If you are pregnant and you wait another two days before testing again, the levels should double again, increasing your chance of an accurate reading. Can [Also Read: Can Ovarian Cancer Be Misdiagnosed As Ovarian Cyst]. Used for sinus and nasal congestion, pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) may cause false positive test results for amphetamine or methamphetamine. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Doxylamine toxicity: seizure, rhabdomyolysis and false positive urine drug screen for methadone. Lelievre, B., et al. For a pregnancy test through blood, you have to visit a clinical setting. If you read the result after a long time, your urine will dry, leaving evaporation lines on it. Pregnancy Test Evaporation Lines: What Are They? This increases HCG in your body. Can Rapid fluctuations in body weight (either loss or gain) Eating disorders. Your doctor may give you a urine or blood test to confirm the results and monitor your hCG levels. Some companies may ask potential hires to complete a drug screening. Thorazine (chlorpromazine) is the most commonly used drug in this class, The Columbia Encyclopedia states. Phentermine could raise a false red flag in your drug screen if you dont have a medical reason for taking amphetamines. It is therefore important to read your results within the time frame mentioned on the kit. During pregnancy, the hCG levels continue to rise, in general doubling every few days, and peaking at around 10 weeks. Sometimes a fertilized egg can implant itself outside of the main cavity of the uterus, which causes an ectopic pregnancy. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. (2016). Sertraline (Zoloft) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Your drug screen could become positive for methadone or PCP with large doses of tramadol. If the urine is too diluted, it may not give an accurate response. Quetiapine, which treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, can wrongly show If youve taken dextromethorphan, a urine test may show positive for PCP. What Is a False Positive Pregnancy Test? For instance, some tests require leaving the dipstick in the urine stream for a specific amount of time. Chemical pregnancies may account for 50 to 75 percent of all. The drug most likely to cause a false positive reading on a pregnancy test is hCG, which is given to women undergoing fertility treatment to mature and release an egg from the ovary. What is the most common cause of false positive hCG results? Some examples include NSAIDs, dextromethorphan, and some antidepressants. A chemical pregnancy occurs when an egg has fertilized but doesnt attach to the uterus. Causes The kidney degrades the beta subunits to produce a core fragment. Can Cause A False Positive Pregnancy Test The Fertility Institute. But this is rare. Detecting a chemical pregnancy before it miscarries can be emotionally hard. (2009). The hormone can remain in your blood and urine for up to six weeks after a pregnancy ends. Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) are in a group of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). A poppy seed bagel, for example, might make you test positive for both of those opioids for up to a whole day after you eat it. How Many Days After Missed Period Pregnancy Test Is Positive. Goldstein J, et al. (2013). If you get a positive result you can almost certainly assume you are pregnant, at which point you should visit your GP to confirm the news, and then you can spend the next nine or so months cooking your human child (psst: read up on which celebs are currently expecting).pregnant, at which The most common reason for a false negative is that you took the test too early. Medically reviewed by Sally Chao, MD. Some anti-anxiety medications. What can cause a false positive? Copyright 2023 Healthgrades Marketplace, LLC, Patent US Nos. Also learn how doctors may monitor someones condition for changes after theyve contracted HIV. Some women do not pay attention to the expiration date mentioned on pregnancy tests. See additional information. Blood may occur in urine due to various conditions such as cystitis. Librium (chlordiazepoxide), an anti-anxiety medication also used to control agitation during alcohol withdrawal, can cause false positive pregnancy results in urine pregnancy tests, Medline Plus states, but blood tests will not show false positive results. How Long Until hCG Falls to Zero After Miscarriage? On rare occasions, the pituitary can create HCG even when no disorder or tumor is present. What medications can cause false positive pregnancy test The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. They may be able to confirm the results by running a second test. If youve been looking forward to a positive pregnancy test result, a false-positive is disappointing. Medications: Some medications can also cause a false-positive pregnancy. Several of these medications for mental disorders can lead to false positive tests. (2004). Gomila, I., et al. 1. (2011). Journal of the American Medical Association. This is a rare one, but some medical conditions such as certain kinds of cancer, chronic kidney disease, as well as problems with your ovaries could cause the body to have increased levels of HCG and potentially lead to a false-positive pregnancy test. If you get a positive result you can almost certainly assume you are pregnant, at which point you should visit your GP to confirm the news, and then you can spend the next nine or so months cooking your human child (psst: read up on which celebs are currently expecting).pregnant, at which Ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, menopause, and many other medical conditions can also cause false positives. Its possible to have a positive pregnancy test even if you arent technically pregnant. Reading the test after the recommended time may cause you to mistakenly believe you are pregnant. can Though they are about 99% accurate, pregnancy tests are not foolproof. Can You Be Pregnant and Still Get a Negative Pregnancy Test. If youre taking fertility medications, reach out 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx. Women ages 35 and older who have been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for 6 months are recommended to seek an infertility evaluation. WebAt-home pregnancy tests are pretty damn accurate, right? How Maintenance Medication Can Benefit Women with Advanced Ovarian Cancer. An untreated ectopic pregnancy can be a medical emergency. Some medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test. Blood tests can detect smaller amounts of hCG, confirming pregnancy earlier than a urine test. Thats more likely to happen with labs that still follow the older, lower thresholds for detecting those substances. Therefore, you need to ensure that you are not using faulty or expired pregnancy kits to get accurate results. American Psychological Association. Quetiapine (Seroquel) is one type of atypical antipsychotic. These include: A positive at-home pregnancy test result should always be followed up with a doctors appointment. One of the most common mistakes is taking the test too early during your cycle. Anti-Parkinsons drugs may also affect the results of pregnancy tests. Other drugs that may cause a false result include aspirin and methadone. Although its not common, certain medications can cause a false-positive pregnancy result. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Dextromethorphan is the main ingredient in many OTC cough suppressants. Methylphenidate is distinguished from amphetamine in drug-of-abuse testing. Here's what might be going on. Certain infertility medications and medical conditions can cause hCG levels to rise in your body and give you a false-positive pregnancy test. Even with these safeguards, user error can occur. There are a few things that can cause a false negative reading, namely the improper use of the test, testing too early, using an expired test, or diluting the urine by drinking too much water in advance. False-positive amphetamine toxicology screen results in three pregnant women using labetalol. cause Stout, P.R., et al. False-positive urine phencyclidine immunoassay screen result caused by interference by tramadol and its metabolites. It is advised to consult a gynecologist for further confirmation of pregnancy if the pregnancy test results are positive. It's important to care for your own needs while you're attending to those of your family. Can medications Several other medications can cause false positive urine results. Diuretics, medications that reduce the amount of fluid in the body, can sometimes cause a false positive pregnancy result on a urine test, according to the Mayo Clinic. Phenergan, a medication used to treat nausea and allergic reactions, can also give false positive results. The primary reason for a false negative test is performing the test at a very early stage of pregnancy. Read on to learn more about false positives on home pregnancy tests. Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor. Many sources state that methylphenidate can cause false positive results for amphetamines. MA. Third Party materials included herein protected under copyright law. Then talk to your healthcare provider. Some home pregnancy tests are more reliable than others. While having to hold off two weeks can add anxiety to an already emotional process, the risk of a false positive test may be more upsetting than waiting for an accurate reading. This may be due to various factors. If you get a positive result, you can wait a couple of days and use the second test. +0. The best thing to do when youve gotten a positive result is to contact your doctor. It is best to wait a week after your missed cycle to take a pregnancy test because it may lead to a false-positive pregnancy test. (2007). Antipsychotics. Typical doses of diphenhydramine may not cause a false positive result. Efavirenz (Sustiva) is an antiretroviral drug that helps treat your HIV infection. Sertraline (Zoloft) is prescribed for depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and more. Various medications also interfere with the testing of pregnancy through pregnancy kits and may cause false-positive results. A chemicalpregnancy occurs when the embryo is not able to implant. Fertility treatments may lead to a false positive reading. GoodRx is not sponsored by or affiliated with any of the third-party brands identified. Some medications may create a false positive pregnancy test result as well. If its part of a medical work-up. False Positive pregnancy occurs due to a variety of reasons. Check out our Zodiac Center! HMG is made up of two hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). While rare, labetalol could cause a false positive test for amphetamine or methamphetamine. Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. Phenergan, a medication used to treat nausea and allergic reactions, can also give false positive results. A second, more sensitive test should be able to distinguish which of the two compounds is in your body. Although its rare to experience a false positive pregnancy test, certain factors can make it possible. In this case, there are other reasons why you might have a late period and a negative pregnancy test that are good to be aware of. certain medications containing the hCG hormone, like some fertility treatments. Taking phentermine can cause false positive urine test results for amphetamines. This line may represent an early pregnancy, or it may be an evaporation line. Salomons E. (2016). If it has, the chemical used to detect hCG may not work. Various medical conditions such as extra-uterine malignancies, pituitary disorders, ovarian cysts, and choriocarcinoma may lead to false-positive results. Seek immediate medical help if you suspect you have an ectopic pregnancy. By Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Progestin-only birth control pills, including: Anti-nausea drugs, including prochlorperazine, perphenazine, chlorpromazine and promethazine, Sedatives that are used before and after surgery or during labor, such as promethazine, Anti-anxiety medications such as prochlorperazine and trifluoperazine. There are also certain medications taken for infertility that cause elevated hCG without a pregnancy. Many women search for what are the reasons for false-positive pregnancy tests. Jensen, C.M., et al. Get the facts on 10 unusual symptoms, such as tasting. Before we get into the medications that can cause a false positive result, lets discuss what a urine drug test is and why you might have one. Urine hCG tests are most reliable about a week after your missed period. Some causes of chemical pregnancies are unknown. Here are seven common early pregnancy symptoms. The presence of blood canalso affect your pregnancy test and is usually an indication of bladder infections or kidney disease. This can cause hCG levels to remain elevated, among other more worrisome symptoms such as ongoing bleeding or fever. Summary. Pregnancy Symptoms: 10 Early Signs That You May Be Pregnant, sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0009898114003787, ucsfhealth.org/education/conception_how_it_works/, sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352578916300297?via%3Dihub, annlabmed.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.3343/alm.2012.32.2.167, acubalance.ca/blog/what-chemical-pregnancy-did-i-just-have-early-miscarriage-or-false-positive, columbiadoctors.org/treatments-conditions/uterine-anomaly, Weird Early Pregnancy Symptoms No One Tells You About, Cramps but No Period: 7 Early Pregnancy Symptoms, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Causes of a Negative Pregnancy Test with No Period. Following are the medications that may lead to a false positive pregnancy test; Anti-psychotics, anti-convulsant, and anti-anxiety medications may cause a false positive test. If you're experiencing cramping but don't get your period, you might be pregnant. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. It could cause you to test positive for opioids (specifically methadone). If you take a pregnancy test during this period, you may still have high HCG in your system, leading to a false positive result. The stick is then able to detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is a hormone produced during early pregnancy. There are support groups where you can find inspiration and obtain knowledge from women who have been through the same thing. You can learn more on her website. hCG is made when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus, usually around 10 days after conception, and increases every a recent pregnancy (e.g. If you have an ectopic pregnancy, you may notice symptoms such as severe, sharp pain on one side of your abdomen, vaginal bleeding, or dizziness. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. The British Medical Journal. Taking PPIs specifically pantoprazole (Protonix) may cause false positive results for THC. Working one-on-one with a therapist, family member, or trusted friend can also be beneficial. Bleeding and pain in early pregnancy need to be evaluated by a medical professional immediately. Keep in mind that pregnancy test results are effective for a short while only. Ecstasy/MDMA. Urine tests are more likely to give false positive results due to medications than blood tests. Some medications can cause false positive results on a urine drug test. The following drugs are synthetic hCG injections which will cause a Consider setting a timer on a stopwatch or your phone. If you see an evaporation line on an at-home pregnancy test, you might be confused if youre expecting or not. When this occurs, sometimes a minor surgical procedure called a dilation and curettage (D and C) is often required to remove the tissue, depending upon your symptoms and how far along the pregnancy was. How medications affect pregnancy test results. CBD, which doesnt make you high, is used for medical marijuana to ease pain and other symptoms. Typically, it takes about 10 days for the synthetic hCG in these trigger shots to clear from your blood and urine. Breindahl, T., et al. Ly, B.T., et al. Remember that false positives do happen and are not an indication that you cannot become pregnant in the future. Below we'll review a few that might have this effect. Annals of Emergency Medicine. Usually, you will have a heavy period soon after your period is normally due. Drug Enforcement Administration. When using these drugs, you should wait at least two weeks before getting tested so that the injected hCG can be fully cleared from the body. Baden, L.R., et al. It is possible to get a positive result when youre not actually pregnant, which is called a false-positive. Pregnancy Test Guide This can happen for many reasons. What medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test? Theyre used to help treat fever, inflammation, and pain. (2015). These include some anticonvulsants, anti-anxiety drugs, antihistamines, diuretics, can cause a false It can be extremely upsetting to receive a false positive pregnancy test result, especially if youve had trouble getting pregnant or are actively trying to get pregnant (or both). Use the test when your urine is very concentrated, like when you first wake up in the morning. When you have a migraine, you'd try anything to feel better. Some popular over-the-counter allergy and sleep meds like Benadryl and Advil PM have diphenhydramine. When youre pregnant, hCG levels rise quickly and peak at about 10 weeks. Some urine drug tests screen for a specific medication and substances. It takes almost one to one-and-a-half months to have a normal level of hCG. The results of a confirmation test are much less likely to show false positive results. If you think your urine drug test results are inaccurate, talk to your healthcare provider. The earlier after a missed period that you take a home pregnancy test, the harder it is for the test to detect hCG. This type of pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants in an area outside the uterus. How often do false-positive phencyclidine (PCP) urine screens occur with use of common medications?. If you get a positive pregnancy reading, let your medical professional know, as they will want to assess and monitor your well-being. Most doctors, however, advise against home testing and ask that you come to the office to get a blood-based test. In rare circumstances, the hCG hormone may be present in the body when a woman is not pregnant and may lead to a pregnancy test false positive result. Coca tea could affect your screening for up to 36 hours after youve sipped it. This may lead to a false-positive pregnancy test. Another antipsychotic-- chlorpromazine -- can cause drug tests to come up positive for amphetamine, a stimulant. Antipsychotics often used to treat schizophrenia, such as perphenazine, prochlorperazine, This is a rare one, but some medical conditions such as certain kinds of cancer, chronic How Much Water to Drink before Ultrasound? Labetalol is in a group of medications called beta-blockers. What Is a Blood Pregnancy Test and How Does It Work? The Medical Conditions That Cause a False Positive Most home pregnancy tests are almost 99% accurate. Its made with the leaves of the same plant that cocaine comes from. Similarly, other medications like antidepressants and birth control can cause a false positive pregnancy test. Most at-home pregnancy tests are dipsticks that are placed in a urine stream. What Medications Can Cause a False Positive GoodRx works to make its website accessible to all, including those with disabilities. The human errors include using an expired test kit or not performing and analyzing the test results as per instructions. Neurological Drugs Anti-psychotics, anti-convulsant, and anti-anxiety medications Several conditions may cause a false-positive pregnancy test. Other medications can also cause false-positive pregnancy tests. Usually yes, but sometimes no. These eggs then pass during your menstrual cycle. Ectopic pregnancies usually happen if a fertilized egg gets stuck in a fallopian tube during its journey to the uterus. For instance, a false positive is when a drug test shows the presence of a medication or substance that you aren't actually taking. This can cause either a false negative or a false positive. Phenothiazines and phenothiazine derivatives are antipsychotic medications used to treat psychiatric disorders that can also give false positive results on urine pregnancy tests. (2012). Sometimes a false positive can be the result of a laboratory error. While an hCG injection triggers a false positive by introducing synthetic hCG into the system, a surge in LH can do the same because the two hormones are so structurally similar. Schmid BC, et al. In this condition, it's hard to recognize whether you are pregnant or not. Some states allow CBD oil, edibles, and other products to have up to 5% of the mind-altering chemical THC. A blood test will confirm that youre pregnant. Healthgrades Can Help. Multiple medications can cause false positive results. Cherwinski, K., et al. It can be used to help relieve nausea and vomiting. Using an expired kit can cause false positives. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Can Cause a False Positive Drug Test What are the telltale early symptoms of pregnancy? If you get a positive result you can almost certainly assume you are pregnant, at which point you should visit your GP to You can use an at-home pregnancy test on the first day of a missed period. An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency. Did I just have a miscarriage or false positive? We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Phentermine is a prescription medicine that helps curb your appetite. When a pregnancy ends, the levels go down, but slowly. Common hMG medications include Menopur, Pergonal, Marin, S.J., et al. A pregnancy test is done to determine if women are pregnant or not. What Medications What Can Cause a False Pregnancy Test? This includes prescription medications or certain illegal substances.