Its every womans worst nightmare: a false positive pregnancy test. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. This is called a false-positive. But how does this happen? If you miss your period but get a negative pregnancy test, there are a number of possible explanations. Sometimes, certain medications can affect your result, so what are these medications? 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. Ovidrel Trigger Shots for Fertility Treatment. Some women also take hCG to help them lose weight. Taking phentermine can cause false positive urine test results for amphetamines. Current time: 05/01/2023 09:39:10 a.m. UTC Other meds, too, can affect your hormone levels and potentially cause a pregnancy test to read positive by mistake. (2017). Fraser, A.D., et al. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. What to Do. Blood pregnancy tests can also detect hCG earlier and more accurately than a urine pregnancy test. Not using your pregnancy kit properly may result in false positives. Other drugs that may cause a false result include aspirin and methadone. After completing the five-day course, a "trigger shot" of Pregnyl, Ovidrel, or Novarel may be used to mature eggs and induce ovulation. +0. Why Is There No Milk Coming Out When Pumping? Learn about the rare reasons for a false-positive pregnancy test. 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. An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. False Positive pregnancy occurs due to a variety of reasons. We avoid using tertiary references. Heres how to tell. A blood test will confirm that youre pregnant. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. A number of different types of psychiatric medications can cause false positives on urine tests. Can You Be Pregnant and Still Get a Negative Pregnancy Test. If the miscarriage was spontaneous, its also possible that not all the pregnancy-related tissue was eliminated. Rapid urine drug screens: diphenhydramine and methadone cross-reactivity. The same thing could happen even with alcohol-based hand sanitizers if you use them regularly. Some companies may ask potential hires to complete a drug screening. Some medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests measure levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in urine. It is therefore important to read your results within the time frame mentioned on the kit. Quinolone antibiotics treat many bacterial infections. Rohit Jain is an IPR Specialist and Medical Content Writing Expert. You may also repeat the test to see if you still get the same result. By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx. Chemical pregnancies are common but typically go unnoticed as the egg passes during menstruation. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Annals of Emergency Medicine. Certain complications with implantation of a fertilized egg such as an ectopic pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, or recent miscarriage may cause a misreading. Perkins also has extensive experience working in home health with medically fragile pediatric patients. A poppy seed bagel, for example, might make you test positive for both of those opioids for up to a whole day after you eat it. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg attaches somewhere outside the uterus. HCG hormone is secreted by the embryo even when it is not present in the uterus. But its not clear what dose of diphenhydramine would cause a false positive result. Whats more, the false positive result may be possible even more than 18 hours after youve swallowed a single dose of the antibiotic. 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. Some women do not pay attention to the expiration date mentioned on pregnancy tests. Seek immediate medical help if you suspect you have an ectopic pregnancy. If the pregnancy test detects a certain level of hCG, it will show a positive result. Committee Opinion No. Some pregnancy tests detect hCG very early in pregnancy. What Can Cause a False Pregnancy Test? How Much Water to Drink before Ultrasound? WebWhat can cause 3 false positive pregnancy test? Another NSAID, oxaprozin (Daypro), can be used to treat pain from arthritis. It is rare but possible to have a false-positive pregnancy test. These include some anticonvulsants, anti-anxiety drugs, antihistamines, diuretics, The best way to avoid a false-positive pregnancy test is to wait at least a week after youve missed your period to take the test. How Many Days Your Period Can Be Late For? There are support groups where you can find inspiration and obtain knowledge from women who have been through the same thing. If its part of a job interview process. And then you later find out it was just a false positive. She has worked with ground and helicopter ambulances (CCP-C, CFRN), ER, ICU, primary care, specialty care, psychiatric, and wilderness medicine. Taking trazodone may cause a false positive test result for amphetamine or methamphetamine. (2009). In this case, there are other reasons why you might have a late period and a negative pregnancy test that are good to be aware of. Multiple medications can cause false positive results. When done appropriately, the pregnancy tests provide accurate results in the majority of the cases. Its sometimes caused by a chemical pregnancy. Home pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine. Baron, J.M., et al. Sertraline can cause a positive result for the hallucinogen LSD on a urine drug test. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Antipsychotics. 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. Stout, P.R., et al. The pregnancy test can be done on blood or urine. Medications: Some medications can also cause a false-positive pregnancy. Now you know the answer, and it is important to talk to your doctor when you are not sure if you are really pregnant or have received false positives. Pregnancy Symptoms: 10 Early Signs That You May Be Pregnant, sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0009898114003787, ucsfhealth.org/education/conception_how_it_works/, sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352578916300297?via%3Dihub, annlabmed.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.3343/alm.2012.32.2.167, acubalance.ca/blog/what-chemical-pregnancy-did-i-just-have-early-miscarriage-or-false-positive, columbiadoctors.org/treatments-conditions/uterine-anomaly, Weird Early Pregnancy Symptoms No One Tells You About, Cramps but No Period: 7 Early Pregnancy Symptoms, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Causes of a Negative Pregnancy Test with No Period. If youre trying to become pregnant under a doctors care, you may be taking fertility medications. (2001). (2013). We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. It helps lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure (hypertension). This hormone stimulates the production of progesterone which plays an important role in maintaining pregnancy. The home pregnancy test can be done at home. It takes around 7 to 14 days to clear the drug from your system after injection. However, keep in mind that the earlier you take the test, the harder it is for the test to detect hCG. Pediatric Emergency Care. a recent pregnancy (e.g. There are many reasons you might get a urine drug screen. A false-negative is much more likely to occur than a false-positive. The presence of blood canalso affect your pregnancy test and is usually an indication of bladder infections or kidney disease. A false-positive pregnancy test can occur when you have a severe urinary tract infection. If youre prescribed methylphenidate for ADHD, you shouldnt have to worry about having a positive drug result for amphetamines. Last Updated 01 May, 2023. Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) are in a group of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). If you think youve had a false positive result on a urine drug test, talk to your healthcare provider. (2011). Other drugs that may cause a false positive pregnancy test include: Leaving the dipstick in your urine stream for the exact amount of time allotted is also important. When you have a migraine, you'd try anything to feel better. (2012). Reputable home pregnancy tests can be highly accurate, but they are not foolproof. The best way to try and prevent being confused by an evaporation line is to follow the tests timing directions exactly as theyre given. Your doctor may give you a urine or blood test to confirm the results and monitor your hCG levels. What medications can cause false positive pregnancy test? A drug test can detect the presence of certain medications and substances. Summary: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify false-positive UDSs associated with all clinic formulary medications, as well as common nonprescription Gomila, I., et al. This may lead to a false-positive pregnancy test. If you take a pregnancy test during this period, you may still have high HCG in your system, leading to a false positive result. Large doses of doxylamine can cause a false positive for opioids (specifically methadone). But more often, certain medications are the cause of a false positive result. https://pregnancy.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Pregnancy_Test_False_Positives All the best, +0 Related topics keppra, pregnancy Further information Keppra uses and safety info Keppra information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details) Side effects of Keppra Female age-related fertility decline. (1990). If the woman had blood or protein in the urine, Can Ovarian Cancer Be Misdiagnosed As Ovarian Cyst, Understanding Sleep Apnea: Causes & Symptoms for Moms, Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms in Females: Recognizing the Signs and Taking Action, Strategies for Managing Stress and Anxiety Through Therapy, 4 Reasons Why Everyone Should Visit an Orthodontist. Unfortunately, sometimes the pregnancy fails to go any further and a miscarriage happens. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Can You Measure hCG Levels in Your Urine? Taking certain medicationsparticularly fertility medicationscan result in a false positive pregnancy test reading. Did I just have a miscarriage or false positive? Youre elated, youre terrified, youre overjoyed, youre petrified all at the same time. Diuretics (water pills) Antihistamines. User error, medical conditions, and certain medications can cause false As the current pregnancy kits have high sensitivity for hCG hormone, any exogenous hCG administered to the patient may be detected by pregnancy kits. The hormone can remain in your blood and urine for up to six weeks after a pregnancy ends. An untreated ectopic pregnancy can be a medical emergency. However, if youre undergoing fertility treatments that require taking certain medications, you may have detectable hCG (from the medication) that can lead to a 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 . This can cause hCG levels to remain elevated, among other more worrisome symptoms such as ongoing bleeding or fever. She has been published at Simulation in Motion. If you're experiencing cramping but don't get your period, you might be pregnant. The medication can cause a false-positive result if you take the test too soon after a missed period. How Soon Can You Take a Pregnancy Test After IVF? Anti-epileptic medication can cause false positive results. 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 . If your miscarriage was spontaneous, tissue might remain in the uterus. They may also order a transvaginal ultrasound to confirm that the pregnancy is proceeding normally. It can be used to help relieve nausea and vomiting. This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. They are thought to be very common, but they typically go undetected if a pregnancy test isnt taken. If there is a pregnancy, the test will give a positive result and if the test is negative, a negative result is given. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. (2015). She also practices and has a devoted lifelong interest in preventive medicine. On rare occasions, the pituitary can create HCG even when no disorder or tumor is present. ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders. Some infertility medications (medications that are used when a False positive results on urine drug tests can happen. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. WebWhat can cause a false urine pregnancy test? WebAt-home pregnancy tests are pretty damn accurate, right? A follow-up ultrasound may be needed after about 1 week if its early to verify the results. If its part of a medical work-up. (2004). MA. The demands of parenting can leave you less time to manage your depression. How Many Days After Missed Period Pregnancy Test Is Positive. 10 Common Questions About Labor and Delivery. What medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test? Reduced interference by phenothiazines in amphetamine drug of abuse immunoassays. By Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH To recap, pregnancy tests work by detecting the pregnancy hormone, hCG, in urine. Talk to your provider if youre concerned about false positive test results. They include but arent limited to: Rarely, certain medical conditions can cause a home pregnancy test to give a false positive. Nomier, M.A., et al. Atypical antipsychotics can help treat certain mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. American Family Physician. What is a chemical pregnancy? 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. Methadone, given to treat heroin addiction, can cause a false positive result on urine pregnancy tests, Cigna states. Follow up with a blood test will give more accurate results. Mayo Clinic: Home Pregnancy Tests: Can You Trust the Results? (2011). Diphenhydramine also may show up as PCP, an illegal hallucinogenic that is one of five types of drugs that applicants for all federal and many private-sector jobs are screened for. This is important because differenttest measures the levels of HCG in a different way. Lastly, this article answers some frequently asked questions about pregnancy tests. Ectopic pregnancies usually happen if a fertilized egg gets stuck in a fallopian tube during its journey to the uterus. Here are seven common early pregnancy symptoms. All rights reserved. For that reason, its recommended you wait until 1 week after you expected your period to start to use an at-home pregnancy test. Interpreting Faint Lines on a Pregnancy Test. Several of these medications for mental disorders can lead to false positive tests. Get prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. Keep in mind that pregnancy test results are effective for a short while only. For a pregnancy test through blood, you have to visit a clinical setting. Methadone. False-positive interferences of common urine drug screen immunoassays: A review. Examples include diazepam, clozapine, phenobarbital, alprazolam, and chlorpromazine. Its a particularly heartbreaking feeling to see your hopes dashed when you discover that the positive result was a false positive for pregnancy. The faulty test result could happen for several days after you quit your antidepressant. Before we get into the medications that can cause a false positive result, lets discuss what a urine drug test is and why you might have one. Apart from the normal pregnancy, tests for hCG levels also provide important information related to aborted pregnancy, pathological pregnancy and other serious medical conditions including extra-uterine malignancies and choriocarcinoma. Antidepressants, decongestants, and dextromethorphan (an ingredient in Robitussin, Delsym) are examples of medications that can cause false positive results. (2020). Set a timer when it is time to wait for the results and read them according to the recommended window of time. How often do false-positive phencyclidine (PCP) urine screens occur with use of common medications?. This embryo will continue to produce hCG as long as it is in your body, but it will not develop into a fetus. All rights reserved. Need a Telehealth Visit? Use the test when your urine is very concentrated, like when you first wake up in the morning. Another type of injectable drug, known as human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), can be used to aid in ovulation. Farley, T.M., et al. The presence of any impurities in your urine sample may also cause a false positive pregnancy test. Remember that false positives do happen and are not an indication that you cannot become pregnant in the future. Investigation of interference by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in urine tests for abused drugs. Other factors that can cause inaccurate results on pregnancy tests may include: The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Thats more likely to happen with labs that still follow the older, lower thresholds for detecting those substances. Salomons E. (2016). The British Medical Journal. 11 /11. You will likely notice that you continue to have vaginal bleeding. (2007). While the blood test also detects hCG, it is far more accurate than a home urine-based test. Phenergan, a medication used to treat nausea and allergic reactions, can also give false positive results. A pregnancy test in your medical professionals office may use a blood test. It can cause false positive results for amphetamine or methamphetamine. (2016). The stick is then able to detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is a hormone produced during early pregnancy. The best way to avoid such confusion is to analyze the results within the instructed time limit. Some at-home tests show two lines when hCG is detected and one line when hCG isnt detected. One of the fallopian tubes is a common area for an ectopic pregnancy to implant. Used for sinus and nasal congestion, pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) may cause false positive test results for amphetamine or methamphetamine. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Doxylamine is an OTC medication that may help people struggling to fall asleep at night. Casey, E.R., et al. WebHowever, fertility drugs are one exception. Schmid BC, et al. The hormone can remain in your blood and urine for up to 6 weeks following the end of the pregnancy. Consider setting a timer on a stopwatch or your phone. Management of nonpregnant women with elevated human chorionic gonadotropin. When this occurs, sometimes a minor surgical procedure called a dilation and curettage (D and C) is often required to remove the tissue, depending upon your symptoms and how far along the pregnancy was. WebWhat are other conditions that can cause a positive test for hCG aside from pregnancy? Unfortunately, inaccurate results on drug tests can happen. If youre taking fertility medications, reach out Methadone, given to treat heroin addiction, can cause a false positive result on urine pregnancy tests, Cigna states. There are also certain medications taken for infertility that cause elevated hCG without a pregnancy. If you hang out often with someone who puffs on pot, your urine could have traces of THC.
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