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Does Cough Syrupcontaining Codeine Show Up In A Drug Test?
Question: Have a pain management contract for 4 hydrocodone 5/325/day. Took two doses of an old prescription cough syrup of promethazine-codeine syrup for a cough related to a sinus infection = keeping both my husband and I up. It is time to renew my hydrocodone prescription, and drug tests are randomly done. I have always had no problem passing before, but will the cough syrup screw me up on this drug test? As far as I know, it is a standard urine drug test. I don't even know if I will be asked to provide a test this time, and I can take the cough syrup bottle in to my pain management doctor to show that it was a previous prescription.
Brief Answer:
Likely to test positive.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic!
Taking codeine containing cough syrup may cause problems for you if a drug test is conducted. The metabolites that can be detected in urine after codeine consumption are codeine itself, morphine and hydrocodone. While presence of hydrocodone in your urine will be of no consequence, presence of codeine and morphine may create problems for you. Since these are usually tested for in all basic drug tests, you are likely to test positive for these.
In my opinion, it will be better to let your doctor know that you are taking a codeine containing cough syrup.
I hope this helps you. Please feel free to ask in case you need any clarifications.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Likely to test positive.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic!
Taking codeine containing cough syrup may cause problems for you if a drug test is conducted. The metabolites that can be detected in urine after codeine consumption are codeine itself, morphine and hydrocodone. While presence of hydrocodone in your urine will be of no consequence, presence of codeine and morphine may create problems for you. Since these are usually tested for in all basic drug tests, you are likely to test positive for these.
In my opinion, it will be better to let your doctor know that you are taking a codeine containing cough syrup.
I hope this helps you. Please feel free to ask in case you need any clarifications.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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