Atripla and Drug Tests

[tokyodecadence]

Hello everyone! Quick question.

Today I had an interview/ conditional job offer/ drug screening for a second job. Well *after* (of course) I took the urine test, I thought to look up info on what effects Atripla had on drug tests, and discovered that Atripla can sometimes produce false positives. This is the first time I've had to take a drug test since I began my meds, and didn't even know to do that (but the nurse never asked either, she gave me a receipt and told me to keep it in the event that I needed to list any current medications, that's when it clicked). After my interview, I immediately went to my doctor's office to obtain a confirmatory note that I'm on meds that could produce a false positive (of course while not naming the medicine or what it's for, I'm not dumb). However, my question is simply one of whether or not I should be worried about my results. I've read in some of my research today that *older* tests produce false positives, but newer ones do not. I've also read that if a positive occurs, then they sample is tested again in a different manner, to see if the positive remains. Does anyone have any experience with this? I was thinking about calling the company tomorrow morning (they give you all of the info to contact them), and asking about the types of tests done on the sample, but should I do so? Or should I just wait and see? I'm going to pick up my letter tomorrow, even if I don't necessarily need it immediately, it'll be nice to have on the ready. Any info will be appreciated! Thanks!


It should be stated that I do not do drugs of any sort, nor do I engage in heavy drinking. So that I'm not the least bit concerned about.

[skeebo1969]

  I was in your shoes a few years ago.  Did you list Atripla as one of the drugs you take?  If so they will do a certain tests that looks for particular cannaboids that are present when you smoke the herb.  I have heard stories of people producing false positives off of Sustiva, but know a few people including myself who went through clean (and I was even smoking at the time).   

  I wouldn't worry about it, before they report anything they will contact you immediately telling of any problems with the test.  Usually a doctor will do this and discuss with you any medications you are taking.  If this were to happen (doubt it will) you can tell him of the possibilities that the sustiva in your combo could be the culprit.

[webontheweb]

Not knowing how strict every company is with researching.  I know for me, I told them that I was on an antidepressant and they said, " Oh, we'll have to take you off the random drug test list"  Easy as pie.
Getting a note from a doctor is good, but I do believe that there are a wide range of innocent drugs that would affect a drug screen and I would jsut say that I was on one of those if I was not comfortable disclosing the real reason.
Just an idea

[tokyodecadence]

Well as I said, I didn't even think to tell them about my medication, until I actually looked it up after I took the drug test. I haven't needed to take one since I've been on meds, so I didn't know. So it's a tad late for that :p

Not knowing how strict every company is with researching.  I know for me, I told them that I was on an antidepressant and they said, " Oh, we'll have to take you off the random drug test list"  Easy as pie.
Getting a note from a doctor is good, but I do believe that there are a wide range of innocent drugs that would affect a drug screen and I would jsut say that I was on one of those if I was not comfortable disclosing the real reason.
Just an idea

Also, this isn't a random drug testing, it a pre-employment drug testing, so there wouldn't really be a list. The company only does drug tests for employment, and as protocol for an accident claim. I dug up the customer service number, so I'm going to call today just to ask for any information they can give me. Hopefully I can get some sort of info on the kind of tests used and go from there.

[denb45]

Well as I said, I didn't even think to tell them about my medication, until I actually looked it up after I took the drug test. I haven't needed to take one since I've been on meds, so I didn't know. So it's a tad late for that :p Also, this isn't a random drug testing, it a pre-employment drug testing, so there wouldn't really be a list. The company only does drug tests for employment, and as protocol for an accident claim. I dug up the customer service number, so I'm going to call today just to ask for any information they can give me. Hopefully I can get some sort of info on the kind of tests used and go from there.

When I worked for the County 12 yrs. ago, I had to take those drug test until they found out I was on all of these Meds, then, they told me, not to worry about it anymore, after I listed all of them, and was NEVER ask to do this again, they told me it was too much trouble, and it would be too costly if they ever had a false positive, and that, they would look BAD, if they tried to fire-me due to this, and being POZ+  as a result of this, I NEVER had to do any drug test ever again 

[Inchlingblue]

I've read up on this and what you did is the right thing, i.e. get a letter from your doctor saying you are on meds that might produce a false positive, without being specific about the meds. This kind of letter is enough if in fact the test comes back positive for marijuana (which is usually the one in question when taking Sustiva).

I would wait and see what happens, it may be that the test will be fine, but if it does come back false positive then the letter from your doctor will very likely be enough to satisfy them. There's no need to get into specifics about what you are taking or that you have HIV, etc.

Not that there is any shame in having HIV but I do think some employers would discriminate based on the fact that they are not well informed and may assume you will be getting sick or not be able to do the job or end up raising their insurance premiums, etc.

[tokyodecadence]

I've read up on this and what you did is the right thing, i.e. get a letter from your doctor saying you are on meds that might produce a false positive, without being specific about the meds. This kind of letter is enough if in fact the test comes back positive for marijuana (which is usually the one in question when taking Sustiva).

I would wait and see what happens, it may be that the test will be fine, but if it does come back false positive then the letter from your doctor will very likely be enough to satisfy them. There's no need to get into specifics about what you are taking or that you have HIV, etc.

Not that there is any shame in having HIV but I do think some employers would discriminate based on the fact that they are not well informed and may assume you will be getting sick or not be able to do the job or end up raising their insurance premiums, etc.

Oh totally, I've got the letter, it's short and to the point, with contact information for my doctor. No specific med or condition was explained, the doctor's office already knew the deal. But I have it! So I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I've already gotten the job, it's just the drug test and background check I'll need to pass, neither of which I'm concerned with now. Thanks everyone!

[Inchlingblue]

Congrats on the job, that is so awesome, especially in this economy@!

[skeebo1969]

Oh totally, I've got the letter, it's short and to the point, with contact information for my doctor. No specific med or condition was explained, the doctor's office already knew the deal. But I have it! So I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I've already gotten the job, it's just the drug test and background check I'll need to pass, neither of which I'm concerned with now. Thanks everyone!

Awesome!! Hope everything works out for you, goodluck!

[tokyodecadence]

Hey hey! Just got the confirmation email for my orientation, so everything worked out! But this was a good experience though, I'm going to keep my doctor's letter on file if I should need it at some point. Thanks so much guys!