Chris asked
Can Neurontin (gabapentin) cause a positive drug test for Suboxone (buprenorphine)?
Answer
Neurontin (gabapentin) is not a medication that is typically associated with 'false positives' on most drug tests, including Suboxone (buprenorphine). It is not a reported/listed drug in most literature searches of agents that are most likely to cause 'false positives'. However, you can't rule it out as 'false positives' on standard drug tests are a relatively common occurrence.
There are a variety of drugs (over the counter included) that could potentially cause a false positive and the problem lies with the standard urinalysis tests that are used.
The most common type of drug test utilized is known as the "Enzyme Linked Immunoassay" (EIA) test. These tests use antibodies to react to specific drug molecules. When a specified drug is present in a test urine sample, an antibody binds to it and a reaction ensues. This reaction is counted as a 'positive' test result.
Unfortunately, there is a significant problem with 'cross-reactivity' in these EIA tests. Drug samples can occasionally react with the wrong antibody (i.e. 'cross react), resulting in a false positive. Worsening the problem, there are studies that show some non-opioid drugs can also cause positive opioid tests. Buprenorphine, one of the ingredients in Suboxone, is classified as an opioid drug. One major study on the subject reported that codeine, Benadryl, tramadol, methadone and morphine all produced false positives for buprenoprhine on a drug test.
If you are concerned about a positive result from a drug test that you believe is in error, you may have some options:
- Ask the retake the drug test. While false positives do occur, they are relatively uncommon. The more tests that are taken, the more likely you will get an accurate result
- Ask to use a more definitive test, a gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy test. While significantly more expensive and cumbersome, this is one of the only true methods to get a undeniably accurate result. This test actually separates and analyzes the different molecules in a drug sample and doesn't rely on an antibody reaction.
While there isn't a definitive list of drugs that can cause 'false positive' drug tests, the following have all been reported as potential culprits:
- Brompheniramine
- Bupropion
- Delsym (dextromethorphan)
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- Doxylamine
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
- Promethazine
- Zantac (ranitidine)
- Effexor (venlafaxine)
To reiterate, Neurontin (gabapentin) is not among the usual suspects when a 'false positive' occurs, but certainly can't be ruled out. If you did test positive for a drug you didn't take, check to see if you are able to be tested with the much more accurate and definitive gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy test.
