6 ms·

It was (likely) the inhaler! It can cause a positive meth test (thank you Google): https://www.labcorp.com/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_h

It was (likely) the inhaler! It can cause a positive meth test (thank you Google): https://www.labcorp.com/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_hACzO_QCM_IwMLo1ALAyNj1yBnQxNfA4MQU6B8JG55d2MCuv088nNT9QtyI8oB5fb_Fw!!/dl2/d1/L0lDU0lKSWdrbUEhIS9JRFJBQUlpQ2dBek15cXchL1lCSkoxTkExTkk1MC01RncvN19VRTRTMUk5MzA4OVMxMDJKR00xTTJOMkRNMC9JX19fXzE!/?WCM_PORTLET=PC_7_UE4S1I93089S102JGM1M2N2DM0_WCM&WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/LabCorp%20Content/labcorp/services/drug+testing+services/faq/toxicology+faq https://www.labcorp.com/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSS...

projectramo 10y ago
Here is the relevant piece: Q: What do the percentages mean in methamphetamine "d" and "l" isomer test results? A: In order to help determine whether a methamphetamine positive may be due to an illicit source, it is helpful to determine the percentage of "d" isomer. For example, following an individual's use of Vick's Vapor Inhaler, the expected result would be 100% "l" methamphetamine. However, there is a possibility that trace amounts of "d" isomer may be present in the quantitative analysis. Laboratory guidelines have been established to allow for trace presence of the "d" isomer. If the laboratory report indicates more than 80% "l" methamphetamine, the results are consistent with Vick's Vapor Inhaler use. If the laboratory reports more than 20% "d" methamphetamine present, the result indicates the use of "d" methamphetamine other than the inhaler. Illegally produced methamphetamine and amphetamine may contain mixtures of "d" and "l" isomers. LabCorp recommends use of a medical review officer (MRO) to review all non-negative test results.1
- maxerickson 10y ago
  That's not informative. That's an OTC nasal decongestant. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levomethamphetamine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levomethamphetamine She was using an albuterol inhaler. It's prescription only and operates on the lung passages. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salbutamol https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salbutamol
  - projectramo 10y ago
    Whoops. I really thought I had this cracked. So close, yet so far. But this leads to the obvious question: can Salbutamol confuse the drug test? Google seems to say yes to several chemicals that look similar (both the chain and the name), but not getting a direct hit.
  - hashmymustache 10y ago
    *Prescription only in the US
mordocai 10y ago
Yeah, the article mentioned that the husband was trying to show them articles talking about inhalers causing false positives but no one cared. It is a weird situation because on one hand, they should trust the actual tests over the word of someone who has a motive to lie if they were actually on the stubstance. However, on the other hand tests are super inaccurate sometimes and treating people like a criminal before a confirmation is just wrong.
- trhway 10y ago
  >Yeah, the article mentioned that the husband was trying to show them articles talking about inhalers causing false positives but no one cared. i'll go on a limp here (as fortunately has never had any even close to such experience) and speculate that may be he should have called a lawyer. Especially considering that in bunch of states it is a crime of endangering child or something like this.
aab0 10y ago
Interestingly, tthe amphetamines were originally developed as anti-asthma and decongestants, and this continued for many decades. Some of the early amphetamine abuse epidemics centered around inhalers; you'd crack them open to take the amphetamine powder, or soak them, or otherwise process them after countermeasures were taken. (See _On Speed: The Many Lives of Amphetamine_.) At least one testing lab says salbutamol will cause false positives: http://www.phamatech.com/pdf/01-24-07%20Cross-Reactivity.pdf http://www.phamatech.com/pdf/01-24-07%20Cross-Reactivity.pdf
- trhway 10y ago
  "Please keep confidential" - Internet is great :) Everybody going into situation with possible drug test should carry a printed copy like just in glove compartment with car insurance to avoid (or at least to clearly understand where it stems from) such "false positive" experience.

projectramo 10y ago

Here is the relevant piece: Q: What do the percentages mean in methamphetamine "d" and "l" isomer test results? A: In order to help determine whether a methamphetamine positive may be due to an illicit source, it is helpful to determine the percentage of "d" isomer. For example, following an individual's use of Vick's Vapor Inhaler, the expected result would be 100% "l" methamphetamine. However, there is a possibility that trace amounts of "d" isomer may be present in the quantitative analysis. Laboratory guidelines have been established to allow for trace presence of the "d" isomer. If the laboratory report indicates more than 80% "l" methamphetamine, the results are consistent with Vick's Vapor Inhaler use. If the laboratory reports more than 20% "d" methamphetamine present, the result indicates the use of "d" methamphetamine other than the inhaler. Illegally produced methamphetamine and amphetamine may contain mixtures of "d" and "l" isomers. LabCorp recommends use of a medical review officer (MRO) to review all non-negative test results.1

maxerickson 10y ago
That's not informative. That's an OTC nasal decongestant. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levomethamphetamine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levomethamphetamine She was using an albuterol inhaler. It's prescription only and operates on the lung passages. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salbutamol https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salbutamol
- projectramo 10y ago
  Whoops. I really thought I had this cracked. So close, yet so far. But this leads to the obvious question: can Salbutamol confuse the drug test? Google seems to say yes to several chemicals that look similar (both the chain and the name), but not getting a direct hit.
- hashmymustache 10y ago
  *Prescription only in the US

mordocai 10y ago

Yeah, the article mentioned that the husband was trying to show them articles talking about inhalers causing false positives but no one cared. It is a weird situation because on one hand, they should trust the actual tests over the word of someone who has a motive to lie if they were actually on the stubstance. However, on the other hand tests are super inaccurate sometimes and treating people like a criminal before a confirmation is just wrong.

trhway 10y ago
>Yeah, the article mentioned that the husband was trying to show them articles talking about inhalers causing false positives but no one cared. i'll go on a limp here (as fortunately has never had any even close to such experience) and speculate that may be he should have called a lawyer. Especially considering that in bunch of states it is a crime of endangering child or something like this.

aab0 10y ago

Interestingly, tthe amphetamines were originally developed as anti-asthma and decongestants, and this continued for many decades. Some of the early amphetamine abuse epidemics centered around inhalers; you'd crack them open to take the amphetamine powder, or soak them, or otherwise process them after countermeasures were taken. (See _On Speed: The Many Lives of Amphetamine_.) At least one testing lab says salbutamol will cause false positives: http://www.phamatech.com/pdf/01-24-07%20Cross-Reactivity.pdf http://www.phamatech.com/pdf/01-24-07%20Cross-Reactivity.pdf

trhway 10y ago
"Please keep confidential" - Internet is great :) Everybody going into situation with possible drug test should carry a printed copy like just in glove compartment with car insurance to avoid (or at least to clearly understand where it stems from) such "false positive" experience.