Methadone. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Can You Be Pregnant and Still Get a Negative Pregnancy Test. Antidepressants, decongestants, and dextromethorphan (an ingredient in Robitussin, Delsym) are examples of medications that can cause false positive results. The condition in which an embryo is present at a place other than uterus such as the cervix or fallopian tube is termed as ectopic pregnancy. Read below to learn more about each of these scenarios. False Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Baden, L.R., et al. The level of hCG hormone will be higher and easier to detect. False Positive Pregnancy Test: Chances and Causes Fertility Plus recommends waiting 7 days after a 2,500 International Unit (IU) injection, 10 days after a 5,000 IU injection, and 14 days after a 10,000 IU injection to test. Infertility drugs, for example, can contain synthetic hCG. But how does this happen? Intact hormone, alpha subunit and beta subunits are present in the blood during pregnancy. She has been published at Simulation in Motion. Drug Enforcement Administration. Trazodone is an older antidepressant that's not commonly used for depression anymore. Gomila, I., et al. These include labetalol (Trandate), doxylamine (Unisom), and tramadol (Ultram). Journal of Analytical Toxicology. A second test would need to confirm it. The results of a confirmation test are much less likely to show false positive results. It is advised to consult a gynecologist for further confirmation of pregnancy if the pregnancy test results are positive. Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results? - Mayo Clinic One of the most common mistakes is taking the test too early during your cycle. Reduced interference by phenothiazines in amphetamine drug of abuse immunoassays. (2016). The presence of protein in the urine may be due to kidney damage. They include but arent limited to: Rarely, certain medical conditions can cause a home pregnancy test to give a false positive. Their results are considered reliable, especially when you wait for at least a week after you miss your period to use one. This hormone stimulates the production of progesterone which plays an important role in maintaining pregnancy. Can Phentermine could raise a false red flag in your drug screen if you dont have a medical reason for taking amphetamines. Logan, B.K., et al. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Common hMG medications include Menopur, Pergonal, and Repronex.. Women ages 35 and older who have been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for 6 months are recommended to seek an infertility evaluation. 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 . In some cases, though, running a second test may not be possible. Female age-related fertility decline. For a pregnancy test through blood, you have to visit a clinical setting. Large doses of doxylamine can cause a false positive for opioids (specifically methadone). It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Phenergan, a medication used to treat nausea and allergic reactions, can also give false positive results. How Maintenance Medication Can Benefit Women with Advanced Ovarian Cancer. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our. 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. Many liquid medications, vanilla extract, and breath-cleaning products often have ethanol, a form of simple grain alcohol. You already know the answer, but you should also know that many other factors can also affect your pregnancy result. Neurological Drugs Anti-psychotics, anti-convulsant, and anti-anxiety medications Check out our Zodiac Center! Clinical Chemistry. Summary. This hormone helps your body maintain the pregnancy. Blood may occur in urine due to various conditions such as cystitis. Did I just have a miscarriage or false positive? Your doctor may give you a urine or blood test to confirm the results and monitor your hCG levels. False-positive urine pregnancy test due to leukocyte interference. WebMedications that may cause a false positive pregnancy: Antihistamines Antianxiety medications Antipsychotics Diuretics Parkinsons disease medications Methadone Current time: 05/01/2023 09:39:10 a.m. UTC Menopause, ovarian cysts, and ectopic pregnancy are some rare medical conditions that can give misleading pregnancy test results. Read on to learn more about false positives on home pregnancy tests. There is also the potential for user error when taking a pregnancy test. Can What is the most common cause of false positive hCG results? In addition, she writes content marketing for the healthcare industry because thats where her expertise lies. They may be able to perform a second test thats more specific and accurate. Acta Clinica Belgica. Its sometimes caused by a chemical pregnancy. This includes prescription medications or certain illegal substances. Home pregnancy tests are a common tool used to find out if youre expecting. This is before the placenta is formed and functional around week 12. Antipsychotics often used to treat schizophrenia, such as perphenazine, prochlorperazine, Possible to Get a False Pregnancy Test The kidney degrades the beta subunits to produce a core fragment. Key takeaways: Home pregnancy tests are 99% accurate when used correctly. Ectopic pregnancy may also lead to a false positive test. False Positive Pregnancy Test: Causes and Coping - Verywell A false positive result is possible with a rapid COVID-19 test. A second, more sensitive test should be able to distinguish which of the two compounds is in your body. You may continue to test positive for pregnancy following the loss of a pregnancy, either through miscarriage or abortion. Thats most likely to happen right after youre exposed to the smoke. It also discusses which tests are more accurate and how early you can take them. Can Some drug screens may not be specific enough to tell apart sertraline and benzodiazepines. 4 Causes of a False Positive Pregnancy Test | OhioHealth American Addiction Centers: Whats An Amphetamine? An ectopic pregnancy is a real pregnancy that will return a positive pregnancy test; however, the pregnancy is nonviable, meaning it cannot result in a live birth. Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment., American Association for Clinical Chemistry: Rifampin Interference with Opiate Immunoassays., Drug Enforcement Administration: Dextromethorphan., FDA: Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) Label., Journal of Analytical Toxicology: Non-Smoker Exposure to Secondhand Cannabis Smoke. Ofloxacin may also cause a false positive result for amphetamine or methamphetamine. How Medications Can Affect Pregnancy Test Results. Another antipsychotic-- chlorpromazine -- can cause drug tests to come up positive for amphetamine, a stimulant. Medications: Some medications can also cause a false-positive pregnancy. However, there are rare circumstances when you may get a false positive. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. But on drug screens, it can show up as methadone, which helps people quit heroin or other opiates and can be addictive. WebWhat can cause 3 false positive pregnancy test? Most of the time pregnancy tests give accurate results. Check the expiration date and read through the directions. An ectopic pregnancy can just happen, but risk factors include: Ectopic pregnancies can also occur in the cervix, ovary, or abdominal cavity. But if you were excited by your early results, it can be very upsetting. Can Cause a False Positive Drug Test Clinical Toxicology. Thats the chemical in the cannabis plant that gets you high. But chances are very low that youll have enough THC to trigger the positive result in the screens used by the federal government and many private employers. Sometimes a fertilized egg can implant itself outside of the main cavity of the uterus, which causes an ectopic pregnancy. (2012). Theyre used to help treat fever, inflammation, and pain. (2014). But there are a few things you should avoid doing. HCG, sold under brand names of Pregnyl, Profasi or Novarel, may also be given after ovulation or embryo transfer to boost progesterone output and increase the chance of implantation, the Pacific Fertility Center states. Diuretics such as furosemide also affect pregnancy test results. Labetalol is in a group of medications called beta-blockers. This is called a false-positive. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 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. It is therefore important to read your results within the time frame mentioned on the kit. Ectopic pregnancies usually happen if a fertilized egg gets stuck in a fallopian tube during its journey to the uterus. Some medications can cause false positive results on a urine drug test. If you've taken a pregnancy test and believe that a negative result is wrong, the best thing to do is wait for at least two days and test again. To recap, pregnancy tests work by detecting the pregnancy hormone, hCG, in urine. While the blood test also detects hCG, it is far more accurate than a home urine-based test. Taking either of these medications may result in a false positive for PCP. It could cause you to test positive for opioids (specifically methadone). According to the National Health Service (NHS) the government-funded healthcare system based in the UKspecific medications that could cause a false Its made with the leaves of the same plant that cocaine comes from. Efavirenz (Sustiva) is an antiretroviral drug that helps treat your HIV infection. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. Here's what might be going on. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Fertility treatments may lead to a false positive reading. Testing for pregnancy after IVF. Need a Telehealth Visit? Cross-reactivity of pantoprazole with three commercial cannabinoids immunoassays in urine. WebAt-home pregnancy tests are pretty damn accurate, right? Many women query about what medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test. Examples include diazepam, clozapine, phenobarbital, alprazolam, and chlorpromazine. After a miscarriage or abortion, the hCG hormone may remain in your system for up to 6 weeks. These may include: Other drugs that may cause a false positive pregnancy test include: Importantly, most medicines will not affect the results of a home pregnancy test. Dextromethorphan is the main ingredient in many OTC cough suppressants. Pregnancy Test: When To Take, Types & Accuracy - Cleveland Urine drug tests can be a common part of an evaluation in an emergency department. The results of a pregnancy test can be divided into three important categories. A false-negative is much more likely to occur than a false-positive. Pregnancy Test Guide 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. Journal of Medical Toxicology. 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). Unfortunately, inaccurate results on drug tests can happen. Oxaprozin cross-reactivity in three commercial immunoassays for benzodiazepines in urine. Theyre not foolproof, however. Several of these medications for mental disorders can lead to false positive tests. In such cases, the pregnancy test kit may give false-positive results. (2015). Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. False-positive TDxFLx urine amphetamine/metamphetamine II assay from ofloxacin. Melanson, S.E.F., et al. If your miscarriage was spontaneous, tissue might remain in the uterus. Medications. How Many Weeks into Pregnancy Can You Get an Abortion? Discover the best time to be tested for HIV. WebAt-home pregnancy tests are pretty damn accurate, right? Krista Elkins has 20 years of experience in healthcare as both a paramedic (NRP) and a registered nurse (RN). Mayo Clinic: Home Pregnancy Tests: Can You Trust the Results. These include some anticonvulsants, anti-anxiety drugs, antihistamines, diuretics, Your privacy is important to us. The best way to avoid such confusion is to analyze the results within the instructed time limit. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. Some pregnancy tests detect hCG very early in pregnancy. In such cases, the blood tests and ultrasound are done to confirm pregnancy. It is rare, but certain conditions may result in a false-positive pregnancy test. How Much Water to Drink before Ultrasound? This is due to the residual level of hCG present in the woman. How medications affect pregnancy test results. WebWhat are other conditions that can cause a positive test for hCG aside from pregnancy? Moreover, she can help clarify complex ideas and complicated clinical or technical information in ways that the reader can understand. Can Perkins also has extensive experience working in home health with medically fragile pediatric patients. Rather than triggering a false negative, they can sometimes return a false positive reading, leading to you believe that you are pregnant when, in fact, you are not. Third Party materials included herein protected under copyright law. And then you later find out it was just a false positive. cause You can use an at-home pregnancy test on the first day of a missed period. The pregnancy test can be done on blood or urine. (n.d.). (2013). What Medications Can Cause A False Positive Pregnancy Test? Certain medications can cause a false positive result on blood test or home pregnancy tests. 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. A chemical pregnancy is an early pregnancy loss that occurs shortly after implantation. Home pregnancy tests measure levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in urine. Anti-epileptic medication can cause false positive results. 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. Its also important to remember that once you have a positive pregnancy test, its important to talk with your doctor about beginning early prenatal care. Various medical conditions such as extra-uterine malignancies, pituitary disorders, ovarian cysts, and choriocarcinoma may lead to false-positive results. Bupropion (Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR) may lead to false positive results for amphetamine or methamphetamine. Evaluations of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine concentrations in human urine samples and a comparison of the specificity of DRI amphetamines and abuscreen online (KIMS) amphetamines screening immunoassays. Last medically reviewed on February 24, 2022. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. HMG is made up of two hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This type of ectopic pregnancy is also known as a tubal pregnancy. HMG is made up of two hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). If you read the result after a long time, your urine will dry, leaving evaporation lines on it. Anti-nausea drugs, including prochlorperazine, perphenazine, chlorpromazine and promethazine Sedatives that are used before and after surgery or during labor, such as promethazine Importantly, most medicines will not affect the results of a home pregnancy test. Alcohol and illicit drugs also dont affect pregnancy test results. Pregnancy test kits detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that starts to rise when a sperm fertilizes an egg. Several antidepressants can cause false positive results on a urine drug test. While rare, labetalol could cause a false positive test for amphetamine or methamphetamine. Some of the drugs used during in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI) can interfere with hCG measurements because they are forms of hCG. Urinary Tract Infection | False-Positive Pregnancy Test: 7 Possible Ca On rare occasions, the pituitary can create HCG even when no disorder or tumor is present. The lines are usually a bright color, such as pink, red, or blue. Another type of injectable drug, known as human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), can be used to aid in ovulation. Quetiapine, which treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, can wrongly show that you have methadone in your urine. These five important signs will help you decide. An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency. Some women also take hCG to help them lose weight. (2010). There are a few other medications that may rarely cause false positives. However, keep in mind that the earlier you take the test, the harder it is for the test to detect hCG. In this scenario, the pregnancy test provides a positive result even when there is no pregnancy. What medications can cause false positive pregnancy test? Pregnancy tests detect the rising level of hCG hormone. Rengarajan, A., et al. The presence of any impurities in your urine sample may also cause a false positive pregnancy test. Can It takes almost one to one-and-a-half months to have a normal level of hCG. PCOS and Pregnancy Tests: How to Detect Pregnancy with Farley, T.M., et al. Trying to figure out if you need to take a pregnancy test? Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know, scar tissue or inflammation in the fallopian tube, misshapen fallopian tube or other congenital anomalies, a history of infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), sharp waves of pain in the abdomen, pelvis, shoulder, or neck, light to heavy vaginal spotting or bleeding, antipsychotics, such as clozapine or chlorpromazine, anticonvulsants, like phenobarbital or other barbiturates, Parkinsons disease medications, including. Last updated on March 15, 2022. In rare circumstances, the hCG hormone Get updates on vaccine and testing access, and changes to care. Some sensitive tests may be accurate even before you miss a period. The human errors include using an expired test kit or not performing and analyzing the test results as per instructions.