Can cough syrup make you test positive for alcohol?

Over-the-counter medications.
Nyquil, Vicks products, and other cold medications contain alcohol. These and other alcohol-containing medicines may cause a breathalyzer test to show a false positive result.
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What can cause a false-positive for alcohol in a urine test?

Consuming nonalcoholic beer and wine in larger amounts may also produce false positive results because such products may contain a small amount of alcohol. Eating baker's yeast with sugar, drinking large amounts of apple juice, or even eating ripe bananas may cause detectable amounts of EtG and EtS in urine.
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Can cough syrup cause a false-positive?

The initial screening for drugs of abuse invariably poses the risk for false positives due to cross-reactivity. The over-the-counter antitussive medication dextromethorphan (DXM) can cause false-positive results for phencyclidine (PCP) upon urine drug screening (UDS).
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Does cough medicine show up in urine test?

Dextromethorphan is an active ingredient in Robitussin, Delsym, and other over-the-counter cough suppressants. If you've taken a medication with dextromethorphan in it, your drug screen may be positive for opiates and PCP (phencyclidine).
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What can produce a positive alcohol test?

EtG and EtS testing may have unexpectedly positive results stemming from “incidental exposures” such as electronic cigarette use, heavy use of hand sanitizer, or consuming certain foods/beverages.
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Can You Fail a Breathalyzer with Cough Syrup?



What cough syrups contain alcohol?

Some common cough syrups that contain alcohol include some formulations of NyQuil, ZzzQuil, and other nighttime cough or cough/cold syrups, among others.
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What can cause a false blood alcohol level?

False readings for blood tests frequently occur based on various factors. The most common reasons for a positive blood alcohol test include improper calibration of the equipment, administering the test too soon, blood alcohol rising, health conditions and medications, or contamination of the sample.
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Can cold medicine cause a false positive drug test?

Cold medications, the antidepressant Wellbutrin, and tricyclic antidepressants can trigger false-positive results on tests for amphetamines, according to the review, and the antidepressant Zoloft and the painkiller Daypro can show up as a benzodiazepine problem.
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Can Nyquil cause a positive alcohol test?

Over-the-counter medications.

Nyquil, Vicks products, and other cold medications contain alcohol. These and other alcohol-containing medicines may cause a breathalyzer test to show a false positive result.
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Can Nyquil make you fail a urine drug test?

Doxylamine Succinate and Dextromethorphan present in the NyQuil and DayQuil may show up in urine drug tests as methadone, opiates, or amphetamines. NyQuil and DayQuil are recommended medicines to help you combat the symptoms of the common cold and cough.
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What is a good excuse for failing a drug test?

Common excuses for failing a drug test

I kissed my boyfriend after he smoked a joint. My dentist gave me something strong for a sore tooth. I ate a lot of poppy seed muffins for breakfast. I failed because of second-hand marijuana smoke.
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How long does dextromethorphan stay in urine?

Results: For these young adults (mean age +/- SD = 30.7 +/- 2.8 years), all urine EMIT assays six hours after ingestion of dextromethorphan, at both dosage levels, were negative for opioids and all other drugs.
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How much ibuprofen causes false positive?

Ibuprofen. This over-the-counter pain reliever can cause a drug test to show up as positive for barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and marijuana. 12000 mg of ibuprofen, it is thought, may interfere with the enzyme used in the testing method.
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Can you fail a urine test for alcohol?

It is possible for your system to still have enough alcohol in it the next morning that you could fail a urine or blood test for driving under the influence. You would definitely have a problem trying to pass a test that is designed to detect the presence of any alcohol.
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Can hand sanitizer make you test positive for alcohol?

Frequent use of alcohol-containing hand sanitizer won't get you drunk, but it may lead you to test positive in a urine test for alcohol consumption, according to a recent study.
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How can I lower my EtG in urine?

Studies show that the intake of water prior to urine sampling results in a dramatic reduction in the EtG concentration, while expressing EtG as a ratio to creatinine is not affected by dilution.
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Can cough syrup make you fail a breathalyzer?

Cough drops and cough medicines can contain alcohol. In these situations, if you consume any kind of cough medication, it can impact your results on a breathalyzer even if you're not drunk. You could still blow above the legal limit without any kind of impairment.
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What drugs increase blood alcohol level?

Cimetidine (marketed under the name of Tagamet) and ranitidine (known as Zantac) can increase blood alcohol levels in people who consume 1 to 2 glasses of wine, beer or distilled spirits.
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What medications can cause a false positive on a breathalyzer?

Albuterol, budesonide, salmeterol, and other medications with different brand names can cause a false positive breathalyzer test. Over-the-counter cold medicines– Certain Vicks products, NyQuil, and other cold and cough medications contain minimal amounts of alcohol, which can skew a breathalyzer test.
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Can Benadryl cause a false positive?

Antihistamines and some sleep aids containing diphenhydramine (like Benadryl) could cause a false positive result for PCP or methadone. Doxylamine (the active ingredient in Unisom) can also trigger a positive drug result for methadone, opiates, and PCP.
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Can acetaminophen cause a false positive drug test?

Antihistamines. Benadryl, Tylenol PM, Advil PM, and other medications contain diphenhydramine. This could lead to positive results in screenings for methadone, PCP, or opiates.
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Will Theraflu make you fail a drug test?

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as urine drug screening tests, urine 5-HIAA), possibly causing false test results.
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Can a blood test for alcohol be wrong?

Blood alcohol tests are very accurate in determining BAC levels, but in some cases, the results may be misleading. These cases may involve: People with diabetes or high blood ketones. People taking cough medicines or herbal supplements.
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Is alcohol present in cough syrup?

The ethyl alcohol is used in cough syrups and tonics for the cure of respiratory and cough related diseases.
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Does Robitussin cough syrup have alcohol in it?

An extra strength formula made to provide relief of dry coughs, chest congestion, and soothes throats. This alcohol-free liquid contains an ingredient that loosens mucus and phlegm buildup.
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