Drug Testing and Prescribed MedicationsHandling drug testing when legally prescribed a tested substanceWhy do some employers withhold drug testing requirement until after interview?Handling drug testing when legally prescribed a tested substanceWhat is a 'non-negative' result on a drug test?How to break the news to the employees that we will start with frequent, surprise drug testing?Pre Employment Drug Test for working in another country (GA, USA)Should I ask my recruiter about the type of drug test that will be used?How to navigate a drug test as a non-drug user with shy bladder syndrome?Planning travel with impending drug test on an unknown dateHas anyone ever had a company perform a “background check” that included a drug test without mentioning the drug test explicitly?Am I able to retake a Pre-employment Drug Screen?

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Drug Testing and Prescribed Medications


Handling drug testing when legally prescribed a tested substanceWhy do some employers withhold drug testing requirement until after interview?Handling drug testing when legally prescribed a tested substanceWhat is a 'non-negative' result on a drug test?How to break the news to the employees that we will start with frequent, surprise drug testing?Pre Employment Drug Test for working in another country (GA, USA)Should I ask my recruiter about the type of drug test that will be used?How to navigate a drug test as a non-drug user with shy bladder syndrome?Planning travel with impending drug test on an unknown dateHas anyone ever had a company perform a “background check” that included a drug test without mentioning the drug test explicitly?Am I able to retake a Pre-employment Drug Screen?






.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;








2















What happens if you take a prescribed drug and it shows up on a drug test? Should you tell the person giving the drug test about the prescribed medications?










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strongguy122 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • 1





    Welcome to the Workplace -- unfortunately in its current form, this question is not something we can answer, because it depends on who your employer is and the company who is administering your test.

    – mcknz
    5 hours ago






  • 2





    see also workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/63515/…

    – mcknz
    5 hours ago











  • Hi, Welcome to the Workplace, you should probably ask this in law.stackexchange.com adding more information about where are you from and your contract.

    – Sebastian Aguerre
    2 hours ago

















2















What happens if you take a prescribed drug and it shows up on a drug test? Should you tell the person giving the drug test about the prescribed medications?










share|improve this question







New contributor




strongguy122 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.















  • 1





    Welcome to the Workplace -- unfortunately in its current form, this question is not something we can answer, because it depends on who your employer is and the company who is administering your test.

    – mcknz
    5 hours ago






  • 2





    see also workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/63515/…

    – mcknz
    5 hours ago











  • Hi, Welcome to the Workplace, you should probably ask this in law.stackexchange.com adding more information about where are you from and your contract.

    – Sebastian Aguerre
    2 hours ago













2












2








2








What happens if you take a prescribed drug and it shows up on a drug test? Should you tell the person giving the drug test about the prescribed medications?










share|improve this question







New contributor




strongguy122 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












What happens if you take a prescribed drug and it shows up on a drug test? Should you tell the person giving the drug test about the prescribed medications?







drug-test






share|improve this question







New contributor




strongguy122 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







New contributor




strongguy122 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question






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asked 5 hours ago









strongguy122strongguy122

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New contributor




strongguy122 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





strongguy122 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






strongguy122 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







  • 1





    Welcome to the Workplace -- unfortunately in its current form, this question is not something we can answer, because it depends on who your employer is and the company who is administering your test.

    – mcknz
    5 hours ago






  • 2





    see also workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/63515/…

    – mcknz
    5 hours ago











  • Hi, Welcome to the Workplace, you should probably ask this in law.stackexchange.com adding more information about where are you from and your contract.

    – Sebastian Aguerre
    2 hours ago












  • 1





    Welcome to the Workplace -- unfortunately in its current form, this question is not something we can answer, because it depends on who your employer is and the company who is administering your test.

    – mcknz
    5 hours ago






  • 2





    see also workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/63515/…

    – mcknz
    5 hours ago











  • Hi, Welcome to the Workplace, you should probably ask this in law.stackexchange.com adding more information about where are you from and your contract.

    – Sebastian Aguerre
    2 hours ago







1




1





Welcome to the Workplace -- unfortunately in its current form, this question is not something we can answer, because it depends on who your employer is and the company who is administering your test.

– mcknz
5 hours ago





Welcome to the Workplace -- unfortunately in its current form, this question is not something we can answer, because it depends on who your employer is and the company who is administering your test.

– mcknz
5 hours ago




2




2





see also workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/63515/…

– mcknz
5 hours ago





see also workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/63515/…

– mcknz
5 hours ago













Hi, Welcome to the Workplace, you should probably ask this in law.stackexchange.com adding more information about where are you from and your contract.

– Sebastian Aguerre
2 hours ago





Hi, Welcome to the Workplace, you should probably ask this in law.stackexchange.com adding more information about where are you from and your contract.

– Sebastian Aguerre
2 hours ago










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















12















What happens if you take a prescribed drug and it shows up on a drug
test?




That depends on the goals of the test and of the specific prescribed drug in question.



In some cases you will "fail" the test. In other cases, it won't matter.




Should you tell the person giving the drug test about the prescribed
medications?




Yes. Before taking the test, you should tell the drug tester about any prescribed medications that you suspect might influence the test.



When I was drug tested, the form specifically asked that you list all prescribed medication you are currently taking.



Note that you are never required to tell anyone what medications you are taking. Many prescribed drugs wouldn't impact the test at all. You could choose not to disclose your medicines and hope that it doesn't cause the test to be failed.






share|improve this answer




















  • 7





    I wonder when it became ok to reveal your medication and thus likely giving away your medical conditions where it should usually read "Hey employer, nice of you to ask but that's none of your business"?

    – Ghanima
    2 hours ago






  • 2





    @GregSchmit, I certainly understand that, still it's none of the employer's business to know what sort of medical conditions an employee has. Obviously that also reduces your pool of potential employers if they choose to act on that knowledge.

    – Ghanima
    2 hours ago






  • 2





    @Ghanima I think it's a cost-benefit balance. The employer doesn't need to know your condition, just that you have a valid prescription for the drug in question. They may be able to infer a condition, but that seems reasonable when the other option is to employ criminals. I think employers have the right to not hire people who are using illegal drugs. In the real world this is usually mediated by a 3rd party that does the drug testing and also validates your prescriptions and just tells the employer "pass" or "fail" (where being caught using your prescription medication counts as a "pass").

    – Greg Schmit
    2 hours ago






  • 5





    Using a drug test to circumvent the legal protections preventing an employer from asking for an employee or candidate's health records doesn't exactly sound right to me.

    – millimoose
    2 hours ago






  • 4





    @millimoose Most places have laws to protect you from this sort of discrimination. "When a medical review officer (MRO) physican reviews a drug test result that is “positive” for a legitimately prescribed medication, the MRO reports the drug test as being “negative” to the company. If the MRO determines that the medication is potentially sedating or impairing, the MRO will alert the company to this risk, but would not disclose the employee’s diagnosis, or the name of the specific medication." Source

    – David K
    1 hour ago


















2














Absolutely. First, you should be telling them the total list of every medication you are taking, just because that's usually a good idea when dealing with medical professionals.



Second, you should tell them so you can directly ask them whether any of these drugs will cause false-positives for any of the tests they are running.



At the very least, if you are explaining to HR "I failed the meth test because I take Metfromin", you are much better off if HR looks at the drug test report and it says right in the report "patient claims to be taking Metformin, which would generate a false positive for meth". Otherwise HR is barely aware that can cause that, and is more likely to just assume you're on meth and say "Next!"



It also helps the lab. There are several ways to screen for a drug. If their usual test confuses Metfromin and meth, and they have an alternate test which distinguishes them, you have given them a heads-up to use it. In some cases that is simply impossible; an example is medically necessary steroids vs. the anabolic steroids that are prohibited in high competitive sports. (Maybe you're interviewing at a sports company with a high sports culture).






share|improve this answer






























    1














    Someone (likely HR) will contact you to let you know you've failed the test and ask for an explanation. This is when you would bring in your prescription bottle and explain why it shouldn't be an issue. They may ask for a doctor's note to confirm, but that's not very likely.



    The person administering the test doesn't particularly care what medications you take. They just need to make sure you take the test according to the process and provide results to your employer (their client).






    share|improve this answer


















    • 1





      Although sometimes they ask while doing the paperwork for the test.

      – Jon Custer
      5 hours ago











    • I guess it's possible, though it hasn't happened to me or anyone I've heard from. Probably depends on the company/relationship between the testing company and the client company.

      – Havegooda
      5 hours ago











    • I think it's better to be proactive and contact someone when you are notified you need to take the drug test. If you wait until after you failed to tell anyone, it will look much more suspicious.

      – David K
      3 hours ago











    • Even if they ask on the paperwork for the test, someone is going to have to prove the prescription is valid, otherwise you could just list a legit drug that masks an illegal drug you take.

      – JPhi1618
      1 hour ago


















    -2














    The person administering the test probably doesn't care nor do they likely have any power or authority to do anything. Mention it to them, but make sure to mention it to the hiring manager, HR person, etc. at the company that this test is for.






    share|improve this answer























    • seems odd to not tell the professional drug tester what medications you take, but to instead tell non-medical professionals about your medications, which is very private information.

      – Azor Ahai
      59 mins ago











    • Seems completely upside down. You should be able to trust a health professional (if we ignore the so-called "health professionals" they use in the UK to examine you and deny disability payments) to keep your medication record private. But if HR knows it, the company knows it. And of course HR has no way to judge whether your medication has any influence on a drug test.

      – gnasher729
      37 mins ago











    • The person administering the test works for a third party that is contracted to administer the tests. They do not work for the company for which the test is being performed. As a result, they have no authority to interpret the results, intercede on your behalf, or influence how the company for which the test is being performed interprets the results nor what they do as a result. So... tell the test administrator... but know that it has little to no bearing on the outcome.

      – joeqwerty
      3 mins ago











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    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes








    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    12















    What happens if you take a prescribed drug and it shows up on a drug
    test?




    That depends on the goals of the test and of the specific prescribed drug in question.



    In some cases you will "fail" the test. In other cases, it won't matter.




    Should you tell the person giving the drug test about the prescribed
    medications?




    Yes. Before taking the test, you should tell the drug tester about any prescribed medications that you suspect might influence the test.



    When I was drug tested, the form specifically asked that you list all prescribed medication you are currently taking.



    Note that you are never required to tell anyone what medications you are taking. Many prescribed drugs wouldn't impact the test at all. You could choose not to disclose your medicines and hope that it doesn't cause the test to be failed.






    share|improve this answer




















    • 7





      I wonder when it became ok to reveal your medication and thus likely giving away your medical conditions where it should usually read "Hey employer, nice of you to ask but that's none of your business"?

      – Ghanima
      2 hours ago






    • 2





      @GregSchmit, I certainly understand that, still it's none of the employer's business to know what sort of medical conditions an employee has. Obviously that also reduces your pool of potential employers if they choose to act on that knowledge.

      – Ghanima
      2 hours ago






    • 2





      @Ghanima I think it's a cost-benefit balance. The employer doesn't need to know your condition, just that you have a valid prescription for the drug in question. They may be able to infer a condition, but that seems reasonable when the other option is to employ criminals. I think employers have the right to not hire people who are using illegal drugs. In the real world this is usually mediated by a 3rd party that does the drug testing and also validates your prescriptions and just tells the employer "pass" or "fail" (where being caught using your prescription medication counts as a "pass").

      – Greg Schmit
      2 hours ago






    • 5





      Using a drug test to circumvent the legal protections preventing an employer from asking for an employee or candidate's health records doesn't exactly sound right to me.

      – millimoose
      2 hours ago






    • 4





      @millimoose Most places have laws to protect you from this sort of discrimination. "When a medical review officer (MRO) physican reviews a drug test result that is “positive” for a legitimately prescribed medication, the MRO reports the drug test as being “negative” to the company. If the MRO determines that the medication is potentially sedating or impairing, the MRO will alert the company to this risk, but would not disclose the employee’s diagnosis, or the name of the specific medication." Source

      – David K
      1 hour ago















    12















    What happens if you take a prescribed drug and it shows up on a drug
    test?




    That depends on the goals of the test and of the specific prescribed drug in question.



    In some cases you will "fail" the test. In other cases, it won't matter.




    Should you tell the person giving the drug test about the prescribed
    medications?




    Yes. Before taking the test, you should tell the drug tester about any prescribed medications that you suspect might influence the test.



    When I was drug tested, the form specifically asked that you list all prescribed medication you are currently taking.



    Note that you are never required to tell anyone what medications you are taking. Many prescribed drugs wouldn't impact the test at all. You could choose not to disclose your medicines and hope that it doesn't cause the test to be failed.






    share|improve this answer




















    • 7





      I wonder when it became ok to reveal your medication and thus likely giving away your medical conditions where it should usually read "Hey employer, nice of you to ask but that's none of your business"?

      – Ghanima
      2 hours ago






    • 2





      @GregSchmit, I certainly understand that, still it's none of the employer's business to know what sort of medical conditions an employee has. Obviously that also reduces your pool of potential employers if they choose to act on that knowledge.

      – Ghanima
      2 hours ago






    • 2





      @Ghanima I think it's a cost-benefit balance. The employer doesn't need to know your condition, just that you have a valid prescription for the drug in question. They may be able to infer a condition, but that seems reasonable when the other option is to employ criminals. I think employers have the right to not hire people who are using illegal drugs. In the real world this is usually mediated by a 3rd party that does the drug testing and also validates your prescriptions and just tells the employer "pass" or "fail" (where being caught using your prescription medication counts as a "pass").

      – Greg Schmit
      2 hours ago






    • 5





      Using a drug test to circumvent the legal protections preventing an employer from asking for an employee or candidate's health records doesn't exactly sound right to me.

      – millimoose
      2 hours ago






    • 4





      @millimoose Most places have laws to protect you from this sort of discrimination. "When a medical review officer (MRO) physican reviews a drug test result that is “positive” for a legitimately prescribed medication, the MRO reports the drug test as being “negative” to the company. If the MRO determines that the medication is potentially sedating or impairing, the MRO will alert the company to this risk, but would not disclose the employee’s diagnosis, or the name of the specific medication." Source

      – David K
      1 hour ago













    12












    12








    12








    What happens if you take a prescribed drug and it shows up on a drug
    test?




    That depends on the goals of the test and of the specific prescribed drug in question.



    In some cases you will "fail" the test. In other cases, it won't matter.




    Should you tell the person giving the drug test about the prescribed
    medications?




    Yes. Before taking the test, you should tell the drug tester about any prescribed medications that you suspect might influence the test.



    When I was drug tested, the form specifically asked that you list all prescribed medication you are currently taking.



    Note that you are never required to tell anyone what medications you are taking. Many prescribed drugs wouldn't impact the test at all. You could choose not to disclose your medicines and hope that it doesn't cause the test to be failed.






    share|improve this answer
















    What happens if you take a prescribed drug and it shows up on a drug
    test?




    That depends on the goals of the test and of the specific prescribed drug in question.



    In some cases you will "fail" the test. In other cases, it won't matter.




    Should you tell the person giving the drug test about the prescribed
    medications?




    Yes. Before taking the test, you should tell the drug tester about any prescribed medications that you suspect might influence the test.



    When I was drug tested, the form specifically asked that you list all prescribed medication you are currently taking.



    Note that you are never required to tell anyone what medications you are taking. Many prescribed drugs wouldn't impact the test at all. You could choose not to disclose your medicines and hope that it doesn't cause the test to be failed.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 15 mins ago

























    answered 5 hours ago









    Joe StrazzereJoe Strazzere

    258k1337531068




    258k1337531068







    • 7





      I wonder when it became ok to reveal your medication and thus likely giving away your medical conditions where it should usually read "Hey employer, nice of you to ask but that's none of your business"?

      – Ghanima
      2 hours ago






    • 2





      @GregSchmit, I certainly understand that, still it's none of the employer's business to know what sort of medical conditions an employee has. Obviously that also reduces your pool of potential employers if they choose to act on that knowledge.

      – Ghanima
      2 hours ago






    • 2





      @Ghanima I think it's a cost-benefit balance. The employer doesn't need to know your condition, just that you have a valid prescription for the drug in question. They may be able to infer a condition, but that seems reasonable when the other option is to employ criminals. I think employers have the right to not hire people who are using illegal drugs. In the real world this is usually mediated by a 3rd party that does the drug testing and also validates your prescriptions and just tells the employer "pass" or "fail" (where being caught using your prescription medication counts as a "pass").

      – Greg Schmit
      2 hours ago






    • 5





      Using a drug test to circumvent the legal protections preventing an employer from asking for an employee or candidate's health records doesn't exactly sound right to me.

      – millimoose
      2 hours ago






    • 4





      @millimoose Most places have laws to protect you from this sort of discrimination. "When a medical review officer (MRO) physican reviews a drug test result that is “positive” for a legitimately prescribed medication, the MRO reports the drug test as being “negative” to the company. If the MRO determines that the medication is potentially sedating or impairing, the MRO will alert the company to this risk, but would not disclose the employee’s diagnosis, or the name of the specific medication." Source

      – David K
      1 hour ago












    • 7





      I wonder when it became ok to reveal your medication and thus likely giving away your medical conditions where it should usually read "Hey employer, nice of you to ask but that's none of your business"?

      – Ghanima
      2 hours ago






    • 2





      @GregSchmit, I certainly understand that, still it's none of the employer's business to know what sort of medical conditions an employee has. Obviously that also reduces your pool of potential employers if they choose to act on that knowledge.

      – Ghanima
      2 hours ago






    • 2





      @Ghanima I think it's a cost-benefit balance. The employer doesn't need to know your condition, just that you have a valid prescription for the drug in question. They may be able to infer a condition, but that seems reasonable when the other option is to employ criminals. I think employers have the right to not hire people who are using illegal drugs. In the real world this is usually mediated by a 3rd party that does the drug testing and also validates your prescriptions and just tells the employer "pass" or "fail" (where being caught using your prescription medication counts as a "pass").

      – Greg Schmit
      2 hours ago






    • 5





      Using a drug test to circumvent the legal protections preventing an employer from asking for an employee or candidate's health records doesn't exactly sound right to me.

      – millimoose
      2 hours ago






    • 4





      @millimoose Most places have laws to protect you from this sort of discrimination. "When a medical review officer (MRO) physican reviews a drug test result that is “positive” for a legitimately prescribed medication, the MRO reports the drug test as being “negative” to the company. If the MRO determines that the medication is potentially sedating or impairing, the MRO will alert the company to this risk, but would not disclose the employee’s diagnosis, or the name of the specific medication." Source

      – David K
      1 hour ago







    7




    7





    I wonder when it became ok to reveal your medication and thus likely giving away your medical conditions where it should usually read "Hey employer, nice of you to ask but that's none of your business"?

    – Ghanima
    2 hours ago





    I wonder when it became ok to reveal your medication and thus likely giving away your medical conditions where it should usually read "Hey employer, nice of you to ask but that's none of your business"?

    – Ghanima
    2 hours ago




    2




    2





    @GregSchmit, I certainly understand that, still it's none of the employer's business to know what sort of medical conditions an employee has. Obviously that also reduces your pool of potential employers if they choose to act on that knowledge.

    – Ghanima
    2 hours ago





    @GregSchmit, I certainly understand that, still it's none of the employer's business to know what sort of medical conditions an employee has. Obviously that also reduces your pool of potential employers if they choose to act on that knowledge.

    – Ghanima
    2 hours ago




    2




    2





    @Ghanima I think it's a cost-benefit balance. The employer doesn't need to know your condition, just that you have a valid prescription for the drug in question. They may be able to infer a condition, but that seems reasonable when the other option is to employ criminals. I think employers have the right to not hire people who are using illegal drugs. In the real world this is usually mediated by a 3rd party that does the drug testing and also validates your prescriptions and just tells the employer "pass" or "fail" (where being caught using your prescription medication counts as a "pass").

    – Greg Schmit
    2 hours ago





    @Ghanima I think it's a cost-benefit balance. The employer doesn't need to know your condition, just that you have a valid prescription for the drug in question. They may be able to infer a condition, but that seems reasonable when the other option is to employ criminals. I think employers have the right to not hire people who are using illegal drugs. In the real world this is usually mediated by a 3rd party that does the drug testing and also validates your prescriptions and just tells the employer "pass" or "fail" (where being caught using your prescription medication counts as a "pass").

    – Greg Schmit
    2 hours ago




    5




    5





    Using a drug test to circumvent the legal protections preventing an employer from asking for an employee or candidate's health records doesn't exactly sound right to me.

    – millimoose
    2 hours ago





    Using a drug test to circumvent the legal protections preventing an employer from asking for an employee or candidate's health records doesn't exactly sound right to me.

    – millimoose
    2 hours ago




    4




    4





    @millimoose Most places have laws to protect you from this sort of discrimination. "When a medical review officer (MRO) physican reviews a drug test result that is “positive” for a legitimately prescribed medication, the MRO reports the drug test as being “negative” to the company. If the MRO determines that the medication is potentially sedating or impairing, the MRO will alert the company to this risk, but would not disclose the employee’s diagnosis, or the name of the specific medication." Source

    – David K
    1 hour ago





    @millimoose Most places have laws to protect you from this sort of discrimination. "When a medical review officer (MRO) physican reviews a drug test result that is “positive” for a legitimately prescribed medication, the MRO reports the drug test as being “negative” to the company. If the MRO determines that the medication is potentially sedating or impairing, the MRO will alert the company to this risk, but would not disclose the employee’s diagnosis, or the name of the specific medication." Source

    – David K
    1 hour ago













    2














    Absolutely. First, you should be telling them the total list of every medication you are taking, just because that's usually a good idea when dealing with medical professionals.



    Second, you should tell them so you can directly ask them whether any of these drugs will cause false-positives for any of the tests they are running.



    At the very least, if you are explaining to HR "I failed the meth test because I take Metfromin", you are much better off if HR looks at the drug test report and it says right in the report "patient claims to be taking Metformin, which would generate a false positive for meth". Otherwise HR is barely aware that can cause that, and is more likely to just assume you're on meth and say "Next!"



    It also helps the lab. There are several ways to screen for a drug. If their usual test confuses Metfromin and meth, and they have an alternate test which distinguishes them, you have given them a heads-up to use it. In some cases that is simply impossible; an example is medically necessary steroids vs. the anabolic steroids that are prohibited in high competitive sports. (Maybe you're interviewing at a sports company with a high sports culture).






    share|improve this answer



























      2














      Absolutely. First, you should be telling them the total list of every medication you are taking, just because that's usually a good idea when dealing with medical professionals.



      Second, you should tell them so you can directly ask them whether any of these drugs will cause false-positives for any of the tests they are running.



      At the very least, if you are explaining to HR "I failed the meth test because I take Metfromin", you are much better off if HR looks at the drug test report and it says right in the report "patient claims to be taking Metformin, which would generate a false positive for meth". Otherwise HR is barely aware that can cause that, and is more likely to just assume you're on meth and say "Next!"



      It also helps the lab. There are several ways to screen for a drug. If their usual test confuses Metfromin and meth, and they have an alternate test which distinguishes them, you have given them a heads-up to use it. In some cases that is simply impossible; an example is medically necessary steroids vs. the anabolic steroids that are prohibited in high competitive sports. (Maybe you're interviewing at a sports company with a high sports culture).






      share|improve this answer

























        2












        2








        2







        Absolutely. First, you should be telling them the total list of every medication you are taking, just because that's usually a good idea when dealing with medical professionals.



        Second, you should tell them so you can directly ask them whether any of these drugs will cause false-positives for any of the tests they are running.



        At the very least, if you are explaining to HR "I failed the meth test because I take Metfromin", you are much better off if HR looks at the drug test report and it says right in the report "patient claims to be taking Metformin, which would generate a false positive for meth". Otherwise HR is barely aware that can cause that, and is more likely to just assume you're on meth and say "Next!"



        It also helps the lab. There are several ways to screen for a drug. If their usual test confuses Metfromin and meth, and they have an alternate test which distinguishes them, you have given them a heads-up to use it. In some cases that is simply impossible; an example is medically necessary steroids vs. the anabolic steroids that are prohibited in high competitive sports. (Maybe you're interviewing at a sports company with a high sports culture).






        share|improve this answer













        Absolutely. First, you should be telling them the total list of every medication you are taking, just because that's usually a good idea when dealing with medical professionals.



        Second, you should tell them so you can directly ask them whether any of these drugs will cause false-positives for any of the tests they are running.



        At the very least, if you are explaining to HR "I failed the meth test because I take Metfromin", you are much better off if HR looks at the drug test report and it says right in the report "patient claims to be taking Metformin, which would generate a false positive for meth". Otherwise HR is barely aware that can cause that, and is more likely to just assume you're on meth and say "Next!"



        It also helps the lab. There are several ways to screen for a drug. If their usual test confuses Metfromin and meth, and they have an alternate test which distinguishes them, you have given them a heads-up to use it. In some cases that is simply impossible; an example is medically necessary steroids vs. the anabolic steroids that are prohibited in high competitive sports. (Maybe you're interviewing at a sports company with a high sports culture).







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 1 hour ago









        HarperHarper

        5,83811027




        5,83811027





















            1














            Someone (likely HR) will contact you to let you know you've failed the test and ask for an explanation. This is when you would bring in your prescription bottle and explain why it shouldn't be an issue. They may ask for a doctor's note to confirm, but that's not very likely.



            The person administering the test doesn't particularly care what medications you take. They just need to make sure you take the test according to the process and provide results to your employer (their client).






            share|improve this answer


















            • 1





              Although sometimes they ask while doing the paperwork for the test.

              – Jon Custer
              5 hours ago











            • I guess it's possible, though it hasn't happened to me or anyone I've heard from. Probably depends on the company/relationship between the testing company and the client company.

              – Havegooda
              5 hours ago











            • I think it's better to be proactive and contact someone when you are notified you need to take the drug test. If you wait until after you failed to tell anyone, it will look much more suspicious.

              – David K
              3 hours ago











            • Even if they ask on the paperwork for the test, someone is going to have to prove the prescription is valid, otherwise you could just list a legit drug that masks an illegal drug you take.

              – JPhi1618
              1 hour ago















            1














            Someone (likely HR) will contact you to let you know you've failed the test and ask for an explanation. This is when you would bring in your prescription bottle and explain why it shouldn't be an issue. They may ask for a doctor's note to confirm, but that's not very likely.



            The person administering the test doesn't particularly care what medications you take. They just need to make sure you take the test according to the process and provide results to your employer (their client).






            share|improve this answer


















            • 1





              Although sometimes they ask while doing the paperwork for the test.

              – Jon Custer
              5 hours ago











            • I guess it's possible, though it hasn't happened to me or anyone I've heard from. Probably depends on the company/relationship between the testing company and the client company.

              – Havegooda
              5 hours ago











            • I think it's better to be proactive and contact someone when you are notified you need to take the drug test. If you wait until after you failed to tell anyone, it will look much more suspicious.

              – David K
              3 hours ago











            • Even if they ask on the paperwork for the test, someone is going to have to prove the prescription is valid, otherwise you could just list a legit drug that masks an illegal drug you take.

              – JPhi1618
              1 hour ago













            1












            1








            1







            Someone (likely HR) will contact you to let you know you've failed the test and ask for an explanation. This is when you would bring in your prescription bottle and explain why it shouldn't be an issue. They may ask for a doctor's note to confirm, but that's not very likely.



            The person administering the test doesn't particularly care what medications you take. They just need to make sure you take the test according to the process and provide results to your employer (their client).






            share|improve this answer













            Someone (likely HR) will contact you to let you know you've failed the test and ask for an explanation. This is when you would bring in your prescription bottle and explain why it shouldn't be an issue. They may ask for a doctor's note to confirm, but that's not very likely.



            The person administering the test doesn't particularly care what medications you take. They just need to make sure you take the test according to the process and provide results to your employer (their client).







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 5 hours ago









            HavegoodaHavegooda

            65914




            65914







            • 1





              Although sometimes they ask while doing the paperwork for the test.

              – Jon Custer
              5 hours ago











            • I guess it's possible, though it hasn't happened to me or anyone I've heard from. Probably depends on the company/relationship between the testing company and the client company.

              – Havegooda
              5 hours ago











            • I think it's better to be proactive and contact someone when you are notified you need to take the drug test. If you wait until after you failed to tell anyone, it will look much more suspicious.

              – David K
              3 hours ago











            • Even if they ask on the paperwork for the test, someone is going to have to prove the prescription is valid, otherwise you could just list a legit drug that masks an illegal drug you take.

              – JPhi1618
              1 hour ago












            • 1





              Although sometimes they ask while doing the paperwork for the test.

              – Jon Custer
              5 hours ago











            • I guess it's possible, though it hasn't happened to me or anyone I've heard from. Probably depends on the company/relationship between the testing company and the client company.

              – Havegooda
              5 hours ago











            • I think it's better to be proactive and contact someone when you are notified you need to take the drug test. If you wait until after you failed to tell anyone, it will look much more suspicious.

              – David K
              3 hours ago











            • Even if they ask on the paperwork for the test, someone is going to have to prove the prescription is valid, otherwise you could just list a legit drug that masks an illegal drug you take.

              – JPhi1618
              1 hour ago







            1




            1





            Although sometimes they ask while doing the paperwork for the test.

            – Jon Custer
            5 hours ago





            Although sometimes they ask while doing the paperwork for the test.

            – Jon Custer
            5 hours ago













            I guess it's possible, though it hasn't happened to me or anyone I've heard from. Probably depends on the company/relationship between the testing company and the client company.

            – Havegooda
            5 hours ago





            I guess it's possible, though it hasn't happened to me or anyone I've heard from. Probably depends on the company/relationship between the testing company and the client company.

            – Havegooda
            5 hours ago













            I think it's better to be proactive and contact someone when you are notified you need to take the drug test. If you wait until after you failed to tell anyone, it will look much more suspicious.

            – David K
            3 hours ago





            I think it's better to be proactive and contact someone when you are notified you need to take the drug test. If you wait until after you failed to tell anyone, it will look much more suspicious.

            – David K
            3 hours ago













            Even if they ask on the paperwork for the test, someone is going to have to prove the prescription is valid, otherwise you could just list a legit drug that masks an illegal drug you take.

            – JPhi1618
            1 hour ago





            Even if they ask on the paperwork for the test, someone is going to have to prove the prescription is valid, otherwise you could just list a legit drug that masks an illegal drug you take.

            – JPhi1618
            1 hour ago











            -2














            The person administering the test probably doesn't care nor do they likely have any power or authority to do anything. Mention it to them, but make sure to mention it to the hiring manager, HR person, etc. at the company that this test is for.






            share|improve this answer























            • seems odd to not tell the professional drug tester what medications you take, but to instead tell non-medical professionals about your medications, which is very private information.

              – Azor Ahai
              59 mins ago











            • Seems completely upside down. You should be able to trust a health professional (if we ignore the so-called "health professionals" they use in the UK to examine you and deny disability payments) to keep your medication record private. But if HR knows it, the company knows it. And of course HR has no way to judge whether your medication has any influence on a drug test.

              – gnasher729
              37 mins ago











            • The person administering the test works for a third party that is contracted to administer the tests. They do not work for the company for which the test is being performed. As a result, they have no authority to interpret the results, intercede on your behalf, or influence how the company for which the test is being performed interprets the results nor what they do as a result. So... tell the test administrator... but know that it has little to no bearing on the outcome.

              – joeqwerty
              3 mins ago















            -2














            The person administering the test probably doesn't care nor do they likely have any power or authority to do anything. Mention it to them, but make sure to mention it to the hiring manager, HR person, etc. at the company that this test is for.






            share|improve this answer























            • seems odd to not tell the professional drug tester what medications you take, but to instead tell non-medical professionals about your medications, which is very private information.

              – Azor Ahai
              59 mins ago











            • Seems completely upside down. You should be able to trust a health professional (if we ignore the so-called "health professionals" they use in the UK to examine you and deny disability payments) to keep your medication record private. But if HR knows it, the company knows it. And of course HR has no way to judge whether your medication has any influence on a drug test.

              – gnasher729
              37 mins ago











            • The person administering the test works for a third party that is contracted to administer the tests. They do not work for the company for which the test is being performed. As a result, they have no authority to interpret the results, intercede on your behalf, or influence how the company for which the test is being performed interprets the results nor what they do as a result. So... tell the test administrator... but know that it has little to no bearing on the outcome.

              – joeqwerty
              3 mins ago













            -2












            -2








            -2







            The person administering the test probably doesn't care nor do they likely have any power or authority to do anything. Mention it to them, but make sure to mention it to the hiring manager, HR person, etc. at the company that this test is for.






            share|improve this answer













            The person administering the test probably doesn't care nor do they likely have any power or authority to do anything. Mention it to them, but make sure to mention it to the hiring manager, HR person, etc. at the company that this test is for.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 3 hours ago









            joeqwertyjoeqwerty

            3,599623




            3,599623












            • seems odd to not tell the professional drug tester what medications you take, but to instead tell non-medical professionals about your medications, which is very private information.

              – Azor Ahai
              59 mins ago











            • Seems completely upside down. You should be able to trust a health professional (if we ignore the so-called "health professionals" they use in the UK to examine you and deny disability payments) to keep your medication record private. But if HR knows it, the company knows it. And of course HR has no way to judge whether your medication has any influence on a drug test.

              – gnasher729
              37 mins ago











            • The person administering the test works for a third party that is contracted to administer the tests. They do not work for the company for which the test is being performed. As a result, they have no authority to interpret the results, intercede on your behalf, or influence how the company for which the test is being performed interprets the results nor what they do as a result. So... tell the test administrator... but know that it has little to no bearing on the outcome.

              – joeqwerty
              3 mins ago

















            • seems odd to not tell the professional drug tester what medications you take, but to instead tell non-medical professionals about your medications, which is very private information.

              – Azor Ahai
              59 mins ago











            • Seems completely upside down. You should be able to trust a health professional (if we ignore the so-called "health professionals" they use in the UK to examine you and deny disability payments) to keep your medication record private. But if HR knows it, the company knows it. And of course HR has no way to judge whether your medication has any influence on a drug test.

              – gnasher729
              37 mins ago











            • The person administering the test works for a third party that is contracted to administer the tests. They do not work for the company for which the test is being performed. As a result, they have no authority to interpret the results, intercede on your behalf, or influence how the company for which the test is being performed interprets the results nor what they do as a result. So... tell the test administrator... but know that it has little to no bearing on the outcome.

              – joeqwerty
              3 mins ago
















            seems odd to not tell the professional drug tester what medications you take, but to instead tell non-medical professionals about your medications, which is very private information.

            – Azor Ahai
            59 mins ago





            seems odd to not tell the professional drug tester what medications you take, but to instead tell non-medical professionals about your medications, which is very private information.

            – Azor Ahai
            59 mins ago













            Seems completely upside down. You should be able to trust a health professional (if we ignore the so-called "health professionals" they use in the UK to examine you and deny disability payments) to keep your medication record private. But if HR knows it, the company knows it. And of course HR has no way to judge whether your medication has any influence on a drug test.

            – gnasher729
            37 mins ago





            Seems completely upside down. You should be able to trust a health professional (if we ignore the so-called "health professionals" they use in the UK to examine you and deny disability payments) to keep your medication record private. But if HR knows it, the company knows it. And of course HR has no way to judge whether your medication has any influence on a drug test.

            – gnasher729
            37 mins ago













            The person administering the test works for a third party that is contracted to administer the tests. They do not work for the company for which the test is being performed. As a result, they have no authority to interpret the results, intercede on your behalf, or influence how the company for which the test is being performed interprets the results nor what they do as a result. So... tell the test administrator... but know that it has little to no bearing on the outcome.

            – joeqwerty
            3 mins ago





            The person administering the test works for a third party that is contracted to administer the tests. They do not work for the company for which the test is being performed. As a result, they have no authority to interpret the results, intercede on your behalf, or influence how the company for which the test is being performed interprets the results nor what they do as a result. So... tell the test administrator... but know that it has little to no bearing on the outcome.

            – joeqwerty
            3 mins ago










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