Salvia and drug testing (2024)

FAQs

What should you not do before a saliva drug test? ›

Food, beverages, medication, and mouthwash can all interfere with accurate saliva drug test results.

Oral fluid production is stimulated by use of agents such as citric acid candy, chewing gum or other agents. This will inevitably change the pH and concentration of drug in the oral fluid.

Several common medications can lead to a false positive on a drug screen, including but not limited to: brompheniramine, bupropion, chlorpromazine, clomipramine, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, ibuprofen, naproxen, promethazine, quetiapine, quinolones (ofloxacin and gatifloxacin), ranitidine, sertraline, ...

Results for specimens that screen negative for all drugs are generally available within 24-36 hours after specimens are received at the laboratory. Results for confirmation testing of presumptive positive screens are usually available within an additional 72 hours.

Ecstasy and cocaine are detectable in saliva for up to 48 hours. The THC swab test detection time is up to 72 hours. Morphine can be detected in saliva for up to 72 hours. Methadone is detectable in saliva for up to 10 days.

Neither test kit is able to determine impairment. In the case of oral fluid testing, although it is a shorter detection time it is possible to be impaired but return a negative test result. On the other hand, urine test kits test on a longer detection time frame as it screens for metabolites within the urine.

Simply ask if you can take another test. Many will have no problems accommodating your request. It helps to present evidence as to why you tested positive the first time. As already mentioned, a letter from a doctor or pharmacist regarding a prescription medication will help.

Some data suggests 5% to 10% of all drug tests may result in false positives and 10% to 15% may yield false negatives. Confirm with the lab you visit that a second, confirmatory test will be performed on any positive drug test that may occur.

Patient must abstain from avocados, bananas, tomatoes, plums, eggplant, hickory nuts, walnuts, pineapple, coffee and mollusks. and during collection: aspirin, corticotropins, MAO inhibitors, phenacetin, catecholamines, reserpine and nicotine. Restrict caffeine, nicotine and alcohol 24 hours prior to collection.

Can substances such as food, beverages, over-the-counter medication, and mouthwash affect the oral fluid drug test results? Yes. For this reason, the donor is to refrain from consumption of food or beverages for 10 minutes prior to specimen collection.

What are the benefits of oral drug testing? ›

Oral fluid drug testing advantages

Oral fluid testing offers confidential lab-based results. By using oral fluid instead of urine, donors can collect their own specimens on-site and in the presence of a monitor, reducing the likelihood of tampering or a donor challenge later in the drug screening process.

A false positive is when a drug test shows the presence of a medication or substance that hasn't actually been taken. Multiple medications can cause false-positive drug tests. Some examples include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and certain antidepressants, including sertraline (Zoloft).

1. Do NOT eat, drink, chew gum, smoke, or vape for at least 30 minutes before collecting the sample.

Let saliva pool in mouth before spitting to avoid bubbles. Gently tap tube to remove any bubbles. REPLACE THE FUNNEL WITH THE FLUID CAP. Remove the funnel from the tube.

Mouthwash and Breath Strips: Most mouthwashes (Listermint®, Cepacol®, etc.) and other breath cleansing products contain ethyl alcohol. The use of mouthwashes containing ethyl alcohol can produce a positive test result.