From the Research
Gabapentin is unlikely to cause a false positive result for cocaine on standard drug tests, as it has a different chemical structure and metabolism pathway than cocaine. Most immunoassay drug screens used for cocaine testing specifically detect benzoylecgonine, a metabolite unique to cocaine, which is structurally different from gabapentin 1. However, no drug test is perfect, and rare cross-reactivity can occur with certain testing methods.
If you're taking gabapentin legally with a prescription and receive a positive result for cocaine, immediately inform the testing facility about your medication. Request confirmation testing using more specific methods like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which can definitively distinguish between these substances 2. Always disclose all medications you're taking before drug testing to help prevent misinterpretation of results.
Some studies have reported false-positive results for cocaine due to other substances, such as TAC topical anesthesia 3. However, gabapentin is not typically associated with false-positive results for cocaine. In fact, a study published in 2023 developed a method for simultaneous quantification of valproic acid, gabapentin, pregabalin, and vigabatrin in human plasma using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, which can help distinguish between these substances 4.
In summary, while gabapentin is unlikely to cause a false positive result for cocaine, it's essential to disclose all medications before drug testing and request confirmation testing if a positive result is obtained. This approach can help prevent misinterpretation of results and ensure accurate drug testing 5.