what medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test

Medically reviewed by Sally Chao, MD. As the current pregnancy kits have high sensitivity for hCG hormone, any exogenous hCG administered to the patient may be detected by pregnancy kits. 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. Blood tests can detect smaller amounts of hCG, confirming pregnancy earlier than a urine test. I would also like to sign up for a free GoodRx account, Written by Brian Leonard, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP, Written by Divya Bhaskar, PharmD Candidate, Written by Rachel Feaster, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS, Written by Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP. Depending on your situation, it might be a relief to find out youre not pregnant. WebHowever, fertility drugs are one exception. Back to School: Simple Ways to Get Ready for the Week. Some anti-anxiety medications. (2004). If your miscarriage was spontaneous, tissue might remain in the uterus. Examples include diazepam, clozapine, phenobarbital, alprazolam, and chlorpromazine. The hormone can remain in your blood and urine for up to six weeks after a pregnancy ends. In such cases, the blood tests and ultrasound are done to confirm pregnancy. Similarly, other medications like antidepressants and birth control can cause a false positive pregnancy test. Rohit Jain is an IPR Specialist and Medical Content Writing Expert. There is also the potential for user error when taking a pregnancy test. (2014). Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) are in a group of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). In this condition, it's hard to recognize whether you are pregnant or not. Recent abortion or miscarriage may lead to false-positive results. Tahirah Redhead, MPAS, PA-C, MPH, has reviewed the answers. GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Ecstasy/MDMA. Cherwinski, K., et al. What to Do. Some causes of chemical pregnancies are unknown. The medication can cause a false-positive result if you take the test too soon after a missed period. Many women query about what medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test. At-home pregnancy tests arent foolproof. This article explores several reasons you may get a false-positive result on your pregnancy test. Remember that false positives do happen and are not an indication that you cannot become pregnant in the future. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. What can cause a false positive? What Medications Can Cause A False Positive Pregnancy Test? For instance, some tests require leaving the dipstick in the urine stream for a specific amount of time. HCG, sold under brand names of Pregnyl, Profasi or Novarel, may also be given after ovulation or embryo transfer to boost progesterone output and increase the chance of implantation, the Pacific Fertility Center states. Any medication that contains hCG can cause a false positive pregnancy test result. But if you were excited by your early results, it can be very upsetting. If you get a positive pregnancy reading, let your medical professional know, as they will want to assess and monitor your well-being. This embryo will continue to produce hCG as long as it is in your body, but it will not develop into a fetus. Follow up with a blood test will give more accurate results. Quetiapine (Seroquel) is one type of atypical antipsychotic. By providing your email address, you agree to receive emails containing coupons, refill reminders and promotional messages from GoodRx. But this is rare. WebWhat are other conditions that can cause a positive test for hCG aside from pregnancy? While an hCG injection triggers a false positive by introducing synthetic hCG into the system, a surge in LH can do the same because the two hormones are so structurally similar. After a miscarriage or abortion, the hCG hormone may remain in your system for up to 6 weeks. If the urine is too diluted, it may not give an accurate response. Then talk to your healthcare provider. Reduced interference by phenothiazines in amphetamine drug of abuse immunoassays. Diuretics such as furosemide also affect pregnancy test results. You can mistake an evaporation line for a false positive pregnancy test. The home pregnancy test can be done at home. Committee Opinion No. These include: There is always a chance that you may have a false-positive pregnancy test. Antipsychotics. Many women search for what are the reasons for false-positive pregnancy tests. Farley, T.M., et al. This is important because differenttest measures the levels of HCG in a different way. An ectopic pregnancy can be a serious emergency for the pregnant parent if the growing embryo ruptures the fallopian tube causing severe bleeding. Cannabidiol (CBD) comes from the hemp plant, a relative of the Cannabissativa plant that produces marijuana. These results are due to the high amount of white blood cells, red blood cells, and nitrates in your urine. If, on the other hand, you are undergoing IVF or IUI, it is best to follow your doctor's instructions and wait to get an in-office blood hCG test. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The following drugs are synthetic hCG injections which will cause a pregnancy test to appear positive: It is a good idea to wait at least 7-14 days after your last injection before taking a pregnancy test. Certain fertility treatment medications may cause a false-positive pregnancy test. WebWhat can cause a false urine pregnancy test? You may also repeat the test to see if you still get the same result. It could cause you to test positive for opioids (specifically methadone). There are support groups where you can find inspiration and obtain knowledge from women who have been through the same thing. It is best to wait a week after your missed cycle to take a pregnancy test because it may lead to a false-positive pregnancy test. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 589. Menopause can also affect the pituitary, leading to HCG production and false positive pregnancy tests. Often, if you test too early, the hCG levels will be below the threshold of detection of many home pregnancy tests. Examples include: Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) are part of a group of antidepressant medications called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Certain decongestants 4. Goldstein J, et al. Dextromethorphan is the main ingredient in many OTC cough suppressants. An ectopic pregnancy is a serious medical emergency and must be addressed immediately. All the best, masso. Anti-Parkinsons drugs may also affect the results of pregnancy tests. Find qualified telemedicine providers for a variety of symptoms and conditions. Urine hCG tests are most reliable about a week after your missed period. Youre elated, youre terrified, youre overjoyed, youre petrified all at the same time. Promethazine is part of a group of medications called phenothiazines. 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. These include: A positive at-home pregnancy test result should always be followed up with a doctors appointment. 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. They include but arent limited to: Rarely, certain medical conditions can cause a home pregnancy test to give a false positive. Some women also take hCG to help them lose weight. Some drug screens may not be specific enough to tell apart sertraline and benzodiazepines. This beverage is a popular folk remedy in Peru and elsewhere in South America. The trazodone metabolite meta-chlorophenylpiperazine can cause false-positive urine amphetamine immunoassay results. Several factors, including pollution of the sample or wrong operations of the doctor, can even affect the result of a pregnancy test performed on blood. False-positive interferences of common urine drug screen immunoassays: A review. The good news is theyre rare. While the blood test also detects hCG, it is far more accurate than a home urine-based test. It could happen when the sample is contaminated with detergent, soap, or even blood. You already know the answer, but you should also know that many other factors can also affect your pregnancy result. If you miss your period but get a negative pregnancy test, there are a number of possible explanations. Evaporation lines may also create confusion and lead to the assumption of a pregnancy that is not present. The best thing to do when youve gotten a positive result is to contact your doctor. Some medications may create a false positive pregnancy test result as well. But there are a few things you should avoid doing. A small quantity of this hormone is also secreted by the colon, liver, and pituitary gland. The kidney degrades the beta subunits to produce a core fragment. What Can Cause a False Pregnancy Test? If you hang out often with someone who puffs on pot, your urine could have traces of THC. Another antipsychotic-- chlorpromazine -- can cause drug tests to come up positive for amphetamine, a stimulant. Journal of the American Medical Association. 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. A chemical pregnancy occurs if a fertilized egg, known as the embryo, is unable to implant, or grow, very early on. Other drugs that may cause a false result include aspirin and methadone. Youll want to use a timer again while you wait for your results. Patients in medical treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Are they at risk in drug screening?. Rifampin, which treats tuberculosis, might show up as opiates in some rapid urine screens. False-positive urine phencyclidine immunoassay screen result caused by interference by tramadol and its metabolites.

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