Drugs are tested in a variety of ways, presumably in the three following ways, which are taken during sports for better performance and stamina.
Drug test methods : Drugs are tested in different methods. These methods have inputs which are documented to give different outputs some of which are objected by drug control authorities and are prohibited. However, during treatments many methods may decompose elements into objectionable substances. Ephedra as stimulant, is pharmaceutically used, and also is a prescribed drug. It is similar as many other genuine components.
Component testing : It escapes drug ban because it does not contain any objectionable material at the input level but it can metabolise into one, once it comes in contact with blood. Blood itself can be having lot of impurities which can further decompose a faultless constituent into a dangerous one. The extent of blood capacity to hold the original substance into its original state is debatable. Ephedra's end product is methamphetamine while one of the component with medicinal properties is ephedrine. But there are hundreds of chemical compounds in ephedra which can metabolise into an element of objectionable category.
Component behavior: The output may indicate the nature of the input. There is a time period for each substance to be metabolized into an objectionable matter before it gets off the body. While a genuine person may be undergoing treatment and can be doped, within the life-cycle of the product within the body, while an abuser may get away with it by intelligently spacing hi/her use and the dope-test time.
Since testing positive is a punishable offence, all the elements have to be properly documented at the input as well as output levels.
Medications and drugs produced False Positives
There are 161 substances listed by authentic sources as reported by the Los Angeles Times New Service, out of which 65 are potentially dangerous in terms of getting positive in case of urine drug test. In a billion dollar pharmaceutical industries, it will be too foolish to stop use of some of the substances, while it may be financially disastrous for some. But according to a psychopharmacologist at UCLA, Mr. Ronald Siegel, panic is created in the minds of users to be extra careful while drug use, because it is common knowledge that an abuse cant be proven if the drug is handled intelligently in a scientific manner. It is only the intention of abuse that can be established, if at all, by some manner.
If an internal document at Byrd Labs collected from Syva Company (inventors of EMIT drug abuse test) is to be believed, then it contains documentation of medications and drugs that may false implicate any user. Quite possible that talented sportspeople from less advantaged countries or circumstances can be falsely implicated to be ousted from the sports arena for life. Stringent measures for testing and documentations have to be prepared and widely circulated for the knowledge of users.
Substances or Conditions which can cause false positives
| THC false positives |
| Ibuprofen; (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin, Excedrin IB etc) Dronabinol (Marinol) Ketoprofen (Orudis KT) Naproxen (Aleve) Promethazine (Phenergan, Promethegan) Riboflavin (B2, Hempseed Oil) Kidney infection (Kidney disease, diabetes) Liver Disease |
| Amphetamines false positives |
| Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, propylephedrine, phenylephrine, or desoxyephedrine (Nyquil, Contact, Sudafed, Allerest, Tavist-D, Dimetapp, etc) Phenegan-D, Robitussin Cold and Flu, Vicks Nyquil Over-the-counter nasal sprays (Vicks inhaler, Afrin) Asthma medications (Marax, Bronkaid tablets, Primatine Tablets) Over-the-counter diet aids with phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim, Accutrim), Prescription medications (Amfepramone, Cathne, Etafediabe, Morazone,phendimetrazine, phenmetrazine, methoxyphenamine, phentermine,amineptine, Pholedrine, hydroymethamphetamine, Dexedrine, amifepramone, clobenzorex,fenproyorex, mefenorex, fenelylline, Didrex, dextroamphetamine, methphenidate, Ritalin,pemoline, Cylert, selegiline, Deprenyl, Eldepryl, Famprofazone) Kidney infection, kidney disease, Liver disease, diabetes benzphetamine, fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine,dexdenfluramine,Redux, mephentermine, Mesocarb |
| Opiates false positives |
| Poppy Seeds, Tylenol with codeine, Cough suppressants with Dextromethorphan (DXM), Most prescription pain medications Nyquil, Kidney infection, Kidney Disease, Diabetes, Liver Disease |
| Ecstacy false positives |
| Ephedrine HCL, propylephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, or desoxyephedrine (Nyquil, Contact, Sudafed, Allerest, Tavist-D, Dimetapp, etc) Phenegan-D, Robitussin Cold and Flu, Vicks Nyquil Asthma medications (Marax, Bronkaid tablets, Primatine Tablets) Prescription medications (Amfepramone, Cathne, Etafediabe, Morazone,phendimetrazine, phenmetrazine, benzphetamine, fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, dexdenfluramine,Redux, mephentermine, Mesocarb, methoxyphenamine, phentermine, amineptine, Pholedrine, hydroymethamphetamine, Dexedrine, amifepramone, clobenzorex, fenproyorex, mefenorex, fenelylline, Didrex, dextroamphetamine, methphenidate, Ritalin, pemoline, Cylert, selegiline, Deprenyl, Eldepryl, Famprofazone) Kidney infection, kidney disease Liver disease, diabetes Over-the-counter diet aids with phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim, Accutrim) Over-the-counter nasal sprays (Vicks inhaler, Afrin) |
| Cocaine false positives |
| Kidney infection (kidney disease) Diabetes Amoxicillin, tonic water Liver infection (liver disease) |
Ephedrine HCl has an ability to make users be falsely implicated of methamphetamine use during a drug test.
OTC medications containing Ephedrine HCL
Bronkaid,Ephedrine Plus, Ephedrine 30mg, Ephedrine 25mg, Ephedrine 8mg, Biotek Ephedrine HCl, Primatene, Vasopro Blister Pack 24 Tabs, Vasopro Bottle 24 Tabs
