Most Insurances Accepted!
Call Ardu Recovery Center Today
Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.
Some over-the-counter (OTC) medications trigger false positive results for benzodiazepines on drug tests. The most frequent drugs include antihistamines such as Benadryl, sleep aids that contain doxylamine succinate, and some cold and flu medications. They share chemical structures similar enough to benzodiazepines to trigger positive results.
If you’re taking OTC medications and facing a drug test, inform your healthcare provider or testing facility beforehand and bring your medications with you to avoid a misunderstanding.
Whether you’re actively using benzos or working to maintain sobriety, our benzodiazepine addiction rehab center provides the medical support, counseling, and recovery tools you need to heal.
False positives for benzodiazepines happen because certain OTC medications (drugs you can buy at a pharmacy without a prescription) share similar chemical structures or properties with benzodiazepines. These medications can trigger positive results on standard drug screening tests, even though they aren’t benzos and don’t produce the same effects.
Common OTC medications that cause false positives for benzodiazepines include:
Research has shown that even some herbal supplements, especially some Chinese herbal products, can cause false positive results for benzodiazepines because they contain undeclared additives such as diazepam (Valium).
False positives for benzodiazepines are more common than many realize. A 2009 study found that out of 98 false-positive cases without prescribed benzodiazepines, 26% were associated with sertraline (Zoloft) use. Laboratory testing systems, particularly the AEROSET and ARCHITECT c8000 System, had a relatively low accuracy rate with only 69% of positive benzodiazepine results being confirmed as true positives.
At Ardu, we treat patients struggling with benzodiazepine use combined with other prescription medications. This dangerous mix involving polysubstance abuse increases overdose risk and complicates recovery. Our medical team addresses these complex medication interactions through comprehensive treatment plans that help you develop healthier coping strategies.
If you’re concerned about your use of benzodiazepines along with other medications, reach out to us for a personalized treatment plan.
Different testing methods for benzo use have different detection windows, accuracy levels, and sensitivity to cross-reactions with OTC medications.
These are the most commonly used tests, especially for employment screening. Standard urine immunoassay tests are most likely to show false positives from OTC medications such as Benadryl and other antihistamines. Initial positive results require confirmation testing through more accurate methods such as GC-MS.
Urine tests can detect benzodiazepine use for 2–7 days, and OTC medications that cause false positives usually need to be taken within 24–48 hours of testing to trigger a positive result.
Blood screening is the most accurate method for detecting current benzodiazepine use but is less likely to show false positives from OTC medications. The detection window is shorter, typically 1–2 days, and the test can distinguish between different types of substances more effectively than urine screening. OTC medications can still affect results, but blood tests are more precise in identifying specific compounds.
Hair follicle testing can identify benzodiazepine use for up to 90 days. These tests are less susceptible to false positives from OTC medications because they measure drug metabolites that have been incorporated into the hair shaft. If used regularly, some antihistamines and sleep aids could affect results.
Oral fluid testing provides a detection window of 1–2 days and is becoming more common because of how convenient it is. While generally less affected by OTC medications than urine tests, certain antihistamines and sleep aids taken shortly before testing could potentially trigger false positives.
If you or someone you love is struggling with benzodiazepine addiction, whether it started with a prescription or through other means, Ardu provides comprehensive, evidence-based treatment to help you recover. Our experienced medical services offer personalized treatment plans that include safe benzo detox, therapy, and long-term recovery support.
Contact our drug rehab center today and start your journey to recovery from benzodiazepine addiction.
According to MedCentral, false positives usually require a confirmation test through more accurate methods such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to verify whether the result was truly caused by benzodiazepine use.
If you receive a false positive result for benzodiazepines on a drug test, take the following steps:
If you’re working with Ardu Recovery Center, our medical team can help verify your medication history and provide documentation to support your case during a drug test dispute. And if you realize you need help with your substance use disorder (SUD) along the way, we’re here to support your recovery with comprehensive, personalized treatment that addresses your unique needs.
You should seek professional help for benzodiazepine addiction if you find yourself needing higher doses to get the same effect, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop, or continuing to use benzos despite negative consequences in your life. Warning signs of benzodiazepine addiction include difficulty with memory and balance, slurred or confused speech, and the dangerous practice of mixing benzos with alcohol or other substances to get stronger effects.
Ardu specializes in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) and substance use disorders, including benzodiazepine addiction, prescription drug dependencies, and illicit drug use. Our comprehensive treatment begins with medically supervised detox, where our experienced healthcare providers monitor your withdrawal symptoms 24/7 to keep you safe and comfortable during this critical phase of recovery.
Our clinical drug testing and patient care protocols help us develop individualized treatment plans that address the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. Many patients struggle with multiple substances or face challenges with prescription and illegal drugs, which is why we offer specialized care for polysubstance abuse and cross-addiction.
After detox, our rehabilitation program provides evidence-based therapies and support services to help you build lasting recovery. Our treatment plans include individual counseling, group therapy, and holistic approaches that address the root causes of addiction. We pay particular attention to cases involving long-term benzodiazepine use and concurrent opioid therapy because these often require careful monitoring and specialized treatment protocols.
Whether you’re dealing with panic attacks that led to benzodiazepine dependence, struggling with chronic pain management, or facing other substance use challenges, our experienced team at Ardu provides the care and support you need for successful recovery.
Contact us today to learn more about our treatment programs, and start your journey to recovery in a safe, supportive environment.
“Ardu Recovery Center is undeniably the best substance abuse rehab facility in the state, and my experience there warrants nothing less than five stars. From the moment I walked through their doors, I was met with compassion and understanding from the staff. The facility itself is well-maintained and designed to promote healing and recovery…”
—Beau
Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.
These common medications can mimic benzodiazepine’s effects:
Cross-reactivity occurs because these medications have chemical structures similar enough to benzodiazepines that they trigger positive results during standard drug screenings. Benadryl and other antihistamines can create this cross-reactivity because their molecular structure partially matches what the immunoassay testing is designed to detect.
The immunoassay testing used in standard drug screens isn’t sophisticated enough to distinguish between these similar chemical structures, which is why confirmatory testing is often needed. When the initial screening encounters these look-alike substances, it identifies them as benzodiazepines even though they’re completely different medications with different effects on the body.
During drug screen immunoassays and common urine drug screens, several supplements can trigger false-positive results. The most common culprits include valerian root (which may register as benzodiazepines), hemp-based products (showing as cannabinoids), and certain B-complex vitamins (potentially triggering amphetamine positives). Some imported herbal products, especially those marketed for sleep or anxiety, may contain undeclared extraneous substances that affect test interpretation.
Commercial urine drug tests and immunoassay screening methods are particularly susceptible to these interferences from common supplements. Initial screening tests often can’t distinguish between legitimate supplements and controlled substances, which is why confirmatory testing through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is essential for accurate results. Healthcare providers typically recommend additional testing when unexpected positives occur to validate initial findings and rule out false-positive interferences from dietary supplements.
Most prescription anxiety medications, especially benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), will be detected in urine drug screens and common drug screen immunoassays. The presence of drugs such as these requires careful interpretation of urine drug testing results.
If you’re taking prescribed medications, inform the testing facility and bring documentation from your health care providers. Drug rehabilitation centers and medical professionals understand that prescribed drugs can complicate screening results. Confirmatory testing methods can verify legitimate prescriptions and distinguish them from illicit drugs or false-positive interferences.
High doses of ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can potentially cause false-positive interferences in urine drug screenings and immunoassay testing. While cross-reactivity with benzodiazepine testing occurs, it’s less common than with other prescribed drugs or illicit substances. Different metabolic pathways and urine drug concentrations affect how these common medications interact with screening tests.
Healthcare providers often recommend confirmatory tests through reference laboratory methods such as GC-MS or LC-MS to differentiate between true positive screenings and potential false-positive urine drug screens from casual ingestion of over-the-counter medications.
Certain B vitamins can trigger unexpected positive drug screening results during initial screening and immunoassay urine drug screens. While more commonly associated with false-positive amphetamine results than benzodiazepines, these supplements can complicate drug screen interpretation. Clinical specimens have shown that vitamin supplements, particularly B-complex formulations, may interfere with common drug screen immunoassays.
Healthcare providers and testing facilities use confirmatory testing methods to distinguish between vitamin B compounds and potential drugs of abuse. The window of detection and cross-reactivity varies based on individual drug concentrations and metabolic pathways.
Benzodiazepines are strictly controlled substances that require prescriptions due to their potential for abuse and benzodiazepine metabolites’ effects on the body. While some common medications and legal stimulants may have mild sedating effects, they work through different metabolic pathways than prescribed drugs such as benzodiazepines.
Drug abuse screening and urine drug screen interpretation can distinguish between true benzodiazepine presence and false-positive interferences from over-the-counter medications. Healthcare providers monitor benzodiazepine use carefully due to current opioid epidemic concerns and potential cross-reactivity with other substances. Any product claiming to contain OTC benzodiazepines likely contains undeclared or illicit substances.
Many over-the-counter medications affect commercial urine drug tests and immunoassay screening through cross-reactivity and false-positive interferences. Common substances found in antihistamines, sleep aids, and pain medications may trigger unexpected positive drug screening results. Drug screen interpretation requires understanding potential false-positive UDS results from casual ingestion of these medications.
Standard urine drug screens and immunoassay testing can detect benzodiazepine metabolites, including those from Xanax. Drug testing results depend on various factors including metabolic pathways, window of detection, and urine drug concentrations. Clinical specimens undergo initial screening followed by confirmatory testing to verify the presence of drugs.
Random urine drug screening may detect drugs in urine samples even after casual ingestion, and the detection window varies based on individual drug names and usage patterns. Common interferences and cross-reactivity with other substances may affect test interpretation, which is why reference laboratory confirmation is essential. Healthcare providers use commercial urine drug tests with specific cutoff values for accurate detection while considering factors such as the substitution of samples or potential adulterants.
The strongest benzodiazepine is often considered flunitrazepam, known for its high potency and rapid onset of action. When evaluating benzodiazepines, cross-reactivity in urine drug screen immunoassays can pose challenges. These immunoassays sometimes yield potential false-positive urine drug screenings because of non-specific interactions, such as with designer drugs or synthetic cannabinoids.
Interferences in drug testing highlight complexities in distinguishing benzodiazepine use from substances such as lysergic acid diethylamide or synthetic opioids.
Eachus, P. L. (1996). Positive Drug Screen for Benzodiazepine Due to a Chinese Herbal Product. Journal of Athletic Training, 31(2), 165. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1318448/
Nasky, K. M., Cowan, G. L., & Knittel, D. R. (2009). False-Positive Urine Screening for Benzodiazepines: An Association with Sertraline? A Two-year Retrospective Chart Analysis. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 6(7), 36. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2728940/
McKenzie , C. F., & Kelsey , M. (n.d.). False-positive urine screenings for benzodiazepines. What can cause a false positive – or false negative – urine drug screening for benzodiazepines? https://www.medcentral.com/meds/monitoring/false-positive-screen-benzodiazepines
Is Ambien a benzodiazepine drug?
Top 10 drugs that damage the kidneys
Why is alcohol considered a drug?
Contact our Valium rehab center
Ardu’s Klonopin addiction treatment center
