From the Guidelines
Adderall can indeed cause a false positive for methamphetamine on drug tests, particularly those using immunoassay technology, due to the chemical similarity between amphetamine salts in Adderall and methamphetamine. This is a significant concern as it may lead to misinterpretation of test results, potentially affecting an individual's personal and professional life. According to a study published in Pediatrics in 2014 1, drug testing can yield false-positive results due to cross-reactivity with unrelated substances, and confirmatory tests, although highly unlikely to yield false positives, can still result in "clinical false positives" when a patient is taking certain prescription medications, such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Key points to consider include:
- The chemical composition of Adderall, which contains amphetamine salts, can trigger false positives for methamphetamine on standard immunoassay drug screens.
- Informing the testing facility or employer about prescribed Adderall use before the test and providing prescription information or a doctor's note can help verify legitimate use.
- More specific confirmatory testing methods, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), can differentiate between Adderall and methamphetamine, making them useful in cases of false positives.
- The dosage of Adderall does not typically affect the likelihood of triggering a false positive, as therapeutic doses contain enough amphetamine to be detected on standard screens, as noted in the context of drug testing limitations 1.
Given the potential for false positives and the importance of accurate test results, it is crucial to use confirmatory testing methods like GC-MS when a false positive for methamphetamine occurs in individuals taking Adderall, to ensure that results are accurately interpreted and to prevent unnecessary consequences.
From the Research
Adderall and Methamphetamine False Positives
- Adderall is a prescription medication that contains amphetamine, which can be detected in urine drug screens 2.
- Methamphetamine is a highly addictive and illicit substance that can also be detected in urine drug screens 3.
- There is a possibility of false positive results for methamphetamine in the presence of certain substances, such as metoprolol, a beta-blocker 2.
- However, there is no direct evidence to suggest that Adderall can cause a false positive result for methamphetamine 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) are commonly used methods for detecting and confirming the presence of amphetamine and methamphetamine in biological samples 3, 4, 5, 6.
- These methods can help distinguish between Adderall and methamphetamine, reducing the likelihood of false positive results 5, 6.
Detection Methods
- GC-MS and LC-MS-MS are highly sensitive and specific methods for detecting amphetamine and methamphetamine 3, 4, 5, 6.
- These methods can detect and quantify amphetamine and methamphetamine in urine, blood, and other biological samples 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The use of these methods can help reduce the risk of false positive results and provide accurate and reliable results 5, 6.
Interference and Cross-Reactivity
- Certain substances, such as metoprolol, can interfere with immunoassay tests and cause false positive results for amphetamine and methamphetamine 2.
- However, GC-MS and LC-MS-MS methods are less susceptible to interference and cross-reactivity, providing more accurate and reliable results 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The use of these methods can help minimize the risk of false positive results and provide accurate and reliable results 5, 6.