Can alprazolam (Xanax) be detected in urine when taking clonazepam (Klonopin)?

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Last updated: June 3, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Research

No, taking clonazepam (Klonopin) will not cause a false positive for alprazolam (Xanax) in a urine drug test. While both medications are benzodiazepines and work similarly in the body, modern drug tests can distinguish between different benzodiazepines based on their specific metabolites. Clonazepam breaks down into different metabolites than alprazolam does, such as 7-aminoclonazepam, which can be detected in urine for an extended period, up to 14 days after administration, as reported in a study published in 2003 1. Standard drug panels typically detect benzodiazepines as a class, but more specific confirmatory testing, like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), can identify exactly which benzodiazepine is present, as described in a study published in 2015 2.

Some key points to consider:

  • The detection window for clonazepam in urine is typically 3-7 days, but can be longer in cases of repeated ingestion, as reported in a case study published in 2012 3.
  • Alprazolam may be detected for 1-5 days, though this varies based on dosage, frequency of use, metabolism, and other individual factors.
  • If you're taking prescribed clonazepam and test positive for benzodiazepines, inform the testing facility about your prescription, as this can help avoid any potential issues with the test results.
  • LC-MS/MS analysis can be used to detect and quantify benzodiazepines and their metabolites in urine, serum, plasma, and meconium, as described in studies published in 2008 4 and 2010 5.

Overall, the evidence suggests that taking clonazepam will not cause a false positive for alprazolam in a urine drug test, and that modern drug tests can accurately distinguish between different benzodiazepines.

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