Anti-virals causing a false positive on drug screens?

[Tar Heel]

I just read that Atripla can cause false positive on marijuana and benzo drug screens!  I have to pee for work on Tuesday.  If I am positive, I have to disclose my HIV status and what meds I am on- that royally sucks!

[RapidRod]

Oh yeah, I have to take a letter from the doctor in everytime I have a random drug screening for my CDLs.

[sdguyloveslife]

Yeah, it does suck, but hang in there!  While I cannot comment on your exact situation, it might not be as bad as you think. 

You have probably read that Atripla (more specifically the Sustiva component) has been known to cause a false positive on the initial screening test.  But, it's important to realize that there are many drugs that are known to cause false positive results, which is why a secondary more sensitive test will be able to distinguish the difference between the two.  The typical screening lab protocol is to test anything that shows up "positive" on the first round of testing to go onto the secondary (more sensitive) test to confirm the results.  (for example, much like HIV tests, if you test + with Elisa or mouth swab, it is always confirmed with a secondary test such as a Western blot.) 

First, most companies use "outside labs" to conduct drug testing (sorry, but if you work for govt. or military, I don't know anything about their guidelines??).  The only information exchanged between the two parties is the "presence or absence of drugs being tested for."  So, even though you tell the lab you take Atripla, they are bound by privacy regulations (like HIPAA) not to disclose any other information about you except the result of the tests being conducted. 

What can you do?  You might ask your doctor to write you a note that says you are under his/her treatment and that you are on medication that may cause a false positive test.  If you present this to the lab, they may just go ahead and automatically conduct the secondary test.  On the intake form when it asks what medications you use, you can refer to the doctor's note.  The only reason you have to worry then is if you DO use marijuana, because the secondary more sensitive test WILL be able to distinguish the difference between sustiva and THC. 

I realize that this doesn't address your situation, but I hope it helped to maybe ease your anxiety.  Good luck! 

[BT65]

Where I live, whatever lab the specimin is sent to calls the person if something comes up positive.  Then the person tells the lab what's causing it, and gives the lab the doc's phone number.  That's the end of it.  The lab doesn't disclose to the employer if there's proof it's not illicit drug use.

[sammolloy]

I'm not on Atripla but I've had pre employment screens "take a few more days"... I assumed the first test showed SOMETHING and another cleared me. I just kept quiet and everything was OK.