From the Guidelines
Gabapentin is unlikely to cause false positives for other controlled substances on standard drug tests, but it's crucial to disclose all medications to the testing facility or medical professional to avoid misunderstandings. When considering the potential for gabapentin to interfere with drug testing, it's essential to understand that false-positive results can occur due to cross-reactivity with unrelated substances in the urine, as noted in a study on testing for drugs of abuse in children and adolescents 1. However, gabapentin's chemical structure differs significantly from commonly tested substances like opioids, benzodiazepines, and amphetamines, which minimizes the risk of cross-reactivity. Some key points to consider include:
- Gabapentin itself is not typically included in standard drug screening panels, though specialized tests can detect it if specifically ordered.
- In rare cases, gabapentin might cause false positives for certain substances on certain immunoassay tests, but this is uncommon with modern testing methods.
- Informing the testing facility or medical professional about prescribed gabapentin beforehand allows them to properly interpret any results and avoid misunderstandings, as emphasized in the context of knowing an individual's complete medical history, including prescribed medications 1.
- The limitations of the selected matrix, the substances for which the drug panel tests, and potential cross-reactivity should be considered when interpreting drug test results.
From the Research
Gabapentin and False-Positive Results
- Gabapentin is not directly mentioned as a cause of false-positive results for other controlled substances in the provided studies 2, 3.
- However, the studies do indicate that certain medications can cause false-positive results for various drugs, including amphetamines, opiates, benzodiazepines, and cannabinoids 2, 3.
- A study found that several medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and analgesics, can cause false-positive results for drugs of abuse, including amphetamine and methamphetamine 3.
- Another study discussed the potential for gabapentin to be abused, particularly in combination with opioids, but did not address the issue of false-positive results 4, 5.
Gabapentin Abuse and Controlled Substance Status
- Gabapentin has been found to have abuse potential, particularly when combined with opioids, and some states have reclassified it as a Schedule V controlled substance 4, 5.
- The abuse potential of gabapentin is well documented, and it has been noted as an agent highly sought after for use in potentiating opioids 5.
- However, the federal government has not reclassified gabapentin as a controlled substance, leading to a fragmented approach to monitoring its use across different states 5.