Ron Kilgarlin believes that drug testing is common in various industries, including healthcare, transportation, and law enforcement. One of the substances that are regularly tested for is opiates, such as morphine, which is a powerful painkiller. However, some drugs can interfere with opiate drug tests, producing false-positive results. False-positive results can have serious consequences, such as losing a job, facing criminal charges, or undergoing unnecessary medical procedures. In this article, we will explore some drugs that can interfere with morphine (opiates) tests and the mechanisms behind them.

Firstly, codeine is an opiate metabolized into morphine in the liver. Therefore, taking codeine-containing medications, such as Tylenol with Codeine or Robitussin AC, can produce positive morphine drug tests. Similarly, taking heroin, metabolized into morphine, can result in a false-positive test. It is important to note that even the smallest codeine can trigger a positive result. Therefore, individuals taking codeine-containing medications should inform their healthcare provider or the drug-testing laboratory about their medication use.

Secondly, poppy seeds are known to cause false-positive opiate drug tests. Poppy seeds are derived from the opium poppy plant, which contains morphine and codeine. While the amount of opiates in poppy seeds is significantly lower than in opiate drugs, such as heroin or morphine, consuming many poppy seeds can still result in a positive opiate test. Studies have shown that consuming a bagel with poppy seeds or a slice of poppy seed cake can produce a positive result up to three days after ingestion. Therefore, individuals undergoing drug testing should avoid consuming poppy seed-containing products, including baked goods, salad dressings, and ice cream.

Thirdly, some prescription medications can interfere with opiate drug tests. For instance, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as levofloxacin or moxifloxacin, have been shown to cause false-positive results for opiates. The exact mechanism behind this interference is not fully understood. However, it is believed that these antibiotics may interact with the immunoassay test, leading to a positive result. Other medications that have been reported to interfere with opiate drug tests include anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, and antihistamines. Therefore, individuals taking any prescription medication should inform their healthcare provider or the drug-testing laboratory about their medication use.

Lastly, illicit drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana, have been shown to interfere with opiate drug tests. Although these drugs are not opiates, they can cross-react with the opiate immunoassay test, leading to a false-positive result. Therefore, individuals who are undergoing opiate drug testing should avoid using any illicit drugs.

In conclusion, drug testing is crucial in many industries to ensure safety and compliance. However, false-positive results can have serious consequences. Therefore, it is essential to understand which drugs can interfere with opiate drug tests and inform healthcare providers or drug-testing laboratories about medication use. Moreover, individuals should avoid consuming poppy seed-containing products and using illicit drugs before undergoing opiate drug testing. By being aware of these factors, individuals can ensure accurate drug testing results and avoid unnecessary consequences.