I am freaking out! I am a professional and just got a great job and moved 1500 miles to start it. I go in to take a urine drug screen and it comes back positive for THC (marijuana). Problem is that I don't use it, haven't been around any one that has and the level at which it was found on the second test indicates chronic daily usage. Then I started to do some research on line. I see a few people having the same concern about Protonix. I don't know where to go from here. I will be fired if I have another positive drug test and I feel helpless to control the results, even though I control my personal behavior. I am currently taking 40mg Protonix in the morning and again at night and have done so for several years due to stomach ulcers and GERD. I also take 200mg Buprorion SR (Wellbutrin) daily and sometimes take Ibuprofen for pain. Can anyone advise me? Thanks.
Q: False positive THC urine test from Protonix?
Thanks for your question.
Sorry, I hit the answer button before I could finish what I was saying! According to the Protonix drug information, the drug may cause false positive results in urine tests for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Tell the laboratory workers about your prescription.
Yes, proton pump inhibitors, including protonix can cause a false postive for THC. NSAIDS (including ibuprofen) actually can cause a false positive as well. One thing to also be concerned about, is that wellbutrin can cause a false positive for amphetamines. I hope you find this helpful.
I too am on Protonix and tested positive twice for thc by the hospital that admited me. After telling the DR. that I dadn't used marajuna since the 70's I demaned to see the head of the lab to review their procedures for testing. The lab super said he would send the sample out for retesting. He returned shortly later and informed me that he had called the reagent manufacturer and was surprized to learn that "false positives" are the results of ones use of Protonix. Hope this helps.
Hey, I just had this exact same thing happen to me, stress that the testers send it the toxology lab and have it tested immediately. I saved my job by this and the fact that our testers did not know anything about protonix until I did the research myself.
MY UA sample was sent out and the thc reading was a false positive. When they first said that I tested positive for thc, I freaked, knowing that I hadn't smoked pot in over two and a half years.
Should this happen to you again, have them send out the specimen and let them know that you are on protonix, it would also help if you always had a doctors report showing that this could happen..
I run a drug testing office: Protonix May cause a "false" positive for THC. However, the simple answer is:
The false positive is on an initial instant SCREEN. The Confirmation test should then be done automatically-in order to "confirm" results. The Confirmation test is done by GC/MS ( a very precise and legal) way to confirm the results. This testing method will verify if it is in fact THC. If it is from Protonix then the confirmation test should be NEGATIVE. Moral of the story: Demand to have GC/MS Confirmation test- that is the legal standard.
I am sure you have gotten many replies regarding your question. But the answer to your question is yes. I recently took a urine test which came back positive for marijuana. The doctor questioned of me regarding my meds, I mentioned one of meds being Protonix. The doctor never suggested retesting. Of course, I did not get the job but I have been quite insulted and feel somewhat violated. I am not a junkie!
--Texasyella
i once had the same thing happen but i called the dr who prescribed it and they called my workplace and verified that it does show up a thc in urine test but not blood test
There are lists of medications online at http://deltabravo.net/custody/drugtest.php
Protonix and ppi's are on that list for causing false positives on that list. Medications we are prescribed every day and over the counter meds are on that list as well.
i understand, im a US ARMY VET,,,, and i been comming up pos... for THC....
i researched it and here are some links (quite a few) that shows Protonix causes False Positives THC results
can protonix cause thc test positive - Google Search
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=can+protonix+cause+thc+test+positive&aq=f&aqi=&oq=&fp=a7d7ab29d0c8bbb9
LTCBulletinSummer_2008.pdf (application/pdf Object)
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/NursingHomes/LTCBulletinSummer_2008.pdf
RxList - The Internet Drug Index for prescription drugs and medications
http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/srchcont_rxlist.asp?src=thc&cat=rx-desc
Protonix - The Internet Drug Database
http://www.iddb.org/drugs/protonix/
Acid Reflux - False positive THC urine test from Protonix?
http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/question/83416/43159
PROTONIX TABLETS (Pantoprazole) drug information from MPR
http://www.empr.com/protonix-tablets/hyperacidity-gerd-and-ulcers/drug/4966/
Protonix Oral : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-18142-Protonix+Oral.aspx?drugid=18142&drugname=Protonix+Oral
WikiAnswers - Can protonix cause a false positive for THC on 10 panel confirmation drug screen test
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_protonix_cause_a_false_positive_for_THC_on_10_panel_confirmation_drug_screen_test
i took a drug test to go to a pain management clinic and i was rejected from the pain clinic because i tested positive for thc. i freaked out because i don,t smoke marijuana or none of my friends do . i went to the lab where tested ans was upset over this . i ask them how i tested posive for thc and they ask me if i took protonix. i take protonix or should i say i did. i stopped takking protonix to see if my drug results changed.. i also asl my pharamist and thet looked it up and to there ssprise any proton pump inhibitor can cause you to test positve for thc. thank gary
Happened to me on Protonix! False positive for THC and methamphetamine. Great Huh! Dr. nor pharmacist had no clue....lovely. I had to google it. Stopped taking Protonix ASAP which sucked because it really was the only Rx that had worked for my reflux.
It has to be Protonix. I just had a false positive at my pain clinic. I was recently hospitalized with gastoenteritis. I was given Protonix in the hospital and given a script for home. My test came back positive and that it what it has to be since I have NOT smoked anything and have NOT even been around anyone in months that even smokes it!
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Help I was drug tested at my dr. office and came up positive for THC knowing that I do not smoke I happily signed the paper to send the specimen to a company called Ameritox. When I went back next month they told me I tested positive for THC I in the meantime being a professional was concerened to why the intial came back positive and found that Protonix which I take 40mg 2xday will test positive. The dr. office neglected to write it on the paper work when they sent it to the lab as well as other medications Zofran, Carafate and Reglan to controll my pancreatits (Which I was in the hopital 3 times in less than a month and a half totaling 21 days which they pumped me full of Zofran every 8hrs, reglan 4xday and protonix 3xday). when I showed to dr. the drug info sheet which states to let lab personell know if you are taking this med she said "I never heard of this I call the lab" when she returned she told me they cross referenced it and there is no way. And told me they will no longer treat me and that I am discharged and wouldn't even speak to me. what do I do now? I know I don't smoke and do not want it to come back to haunt me.