job interviewing with drug test policy

[webontheweb]

Hi gang, I am sure that this has been covered ad infinitum, but nit where I have seen it.  If interviewing for a job where there is mandatory drug testing screen, what are the ramifications if any about being Poz and on meds?
I am getting ready to start looking for a new job/career and am curious.  It is better to know ahead of time what I need to do to protect myself.  Does Atripla or any of the other drugs out there throw :positives" out there in terms of what a company would be looking for in a drug screen?
Thanks for your help.

[thunter34]

My understanding is that Sustiva (and thus Atripla) can possibly show a positive on a drug test.  This result can then be clarified on a more in-depth test that will show it to be this prescription medication and not an illegal street drug.  To my knowledge, Sustiva is the only current antiretroviral that may give this result.  However, be advised that nearly (if not all) antiretrovirals can increase blood levels of other drugs in one's system which will also potentially lead to a "false positive". For example, ingesting Sudafed can often result in a positive urine test for methamphetamine - and the presence of antiretorvirals can increase the likelihood of this happening. 

Also be advised that some auxillary medications will produce a positive.  Two very common ones include Marinol (which is essentially pot in pill form) and Adderall / Ritalin (which are prescription amphetamines). 

[thunter34]

Be armed.  A whole shit pot of other drugs can provide a false positive.

http://www.passyourdrugtest.com/false-positives.htm

These false positives can be cleared on a confirmation test if your employer wishes to go that route and cough up the extra cash to do so. 

I once tested positive for pot due to Advil.

[rachel2008]

I did a drug test for a job right before Thanksgiving.  The company that hired me outsourced the drug test to another company.  The drug test people didn't ask any questions except to get my phone number.  They would contact me if they had any questions in regards to my test results.  I take Reyataz, Truvada, and Norvir and I passed the test.  I wouldn't worry.  If they contact you just inform them of the meds you are on.  It should be fine.  Good Luck with the job hunting.

[megasept]

I did a drug test for a job right before Thanksgiving.  The company that hired me outsourced the drug test to another company.  The drug test people didn't ask any questions except to get my phone number.  They would contact me if they had any questions in regards to my test results.  I take Reyataz, Truvada, and Norvir and I passed the test.  I wouldn't worry.  If they contact you just inform them of the meds you are on.  It should be fine.  Good Luck with the job hunting.

All the responses (to my knowledge) seem right. In general few taking ARVs will "fail" a drug test, unless you're consuming one of the prohibited drugs, like pot. But preparation and knowledge are a good approach. It is stressful looking for work, so why not find out your particular meds won't give a false positive, and if you find out otherwise, have a plan involving your MD, pharmacist, prescription docs, etc in place. I have passed 2 or 3 of these tests while on meds (not recently, though).

I have never wanted to have a follow-up to a failed drug test because ARVs mean HIV. I am not so naive as to think most employers (public or private) find a POZ applicant an ideal addition to their workforce. Unless a US employer has a HIV non-discrimination policy, usually as an explicit interpretation of the ADA (you really can find this out anonymously. I did so twice for piece of mind), the whole discussion could lead to being refused employment, since no one could document why you and so many others weren't chosen for a particular position. If an employer violates their own non-discrimination policy then you would have obvious leverage, especially if you use an intermediary (don't start with a lawyer, maybe better, ASO director, other advocate, etc). In that kind of embarrassing bind, they might even favor a POZ applicant over an otherwise equal applicant just to avoid the headaches of someone going after them.

Denying people employment simply because they have one or more chronic illnesses (as opposed to couldn't perform their job) is so unfair, when for so many, employment is the only available road to accessing medical coverage. Stupid! Single-payer single-standard medical coverage for all would end this particular Catch-22. And cost less overall.

Chances are high folks would not fail a drug test due to their ARV therapy. But nothing stops anyone from researching their combo in advance. GOOD LUCK!

   -megasept

[webontheweb]

Thansk everyone for the input.  I am sure we all learned something!  I am sure that like most companies, they probably just do a hair test, but one never knows.  I'll let you know how it goes.
Cheers,
e

[Oceanbeach]

Dear Web,

I asked that same question before a job interview at a daily newspaper with a zero drug policy.  The drug tests are expensive and limited to recreational drugs, not HIV drugs.  My ID doc said the tests would show an increase or a decrease in either white or red blood cells.  Sorry, I do not remember the exact because it was several years ago.  I was instructed to say, "My doctor and I are aware of it and we are working on it."

I passed the drug test but did not feel up to a 40 hour week in a high stress industry.  I did not accept the job offer    Have the best day
Michael