September 8, 2009 - 10:50pm
Hey all,
I'm new here, and I don't know if anyone can answer my question or not, but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway.
I take approx 20-25 mg of hydrocodone on a daily basis. My workplace does random UAs and uses a regular 5 panel, instant result test given by a mobile lab in the area. I know they test for opiates, but I am not sure if the test is the type that tests for hydro metabolites or not. I have been tested twice and neither times illicited a positive result. The first time I hadn't taken anything for a few months, the second only a few days. I have a valid scrip for hydrocodone that doesn't expire until Jan 2010 which I received from an injury...25 pills (all of which are gone), no refills, but in the interest of honesty, I am a recreational user.
I don't know exactly how hydrocodone breaks down in the body. I know that the cuttof level for opiates on the standart tests are 2000ng/ml, but I don't know how that translates into 20 mg/day. I know the amount I take would be a fairly normal prescribed dose. My question is if I were to be UAd again, and I tested positive, would showing the prescription I have clear me for the time being?
I am not looking for lectures about using prescriptions recreationally, I know it is not healthy. And honestly I'm kind of over it. I have never had a problem stopping, I detox myself every so often with little issue, and I think that next time I detox I just won't start again.
Thanks
September 9, 2009 - 2:26am
#2
solo is right, it's all going
solo is right, it's all going to depend on how your HR department handles it. They may accept your prescription bottle as evidence that you were on it legitimately, but then again they may not. They may look at the date and find that suspicious and ask you for a doctor's note, at which point you'd be SOL. My guess would be that they would want to verify that you do need the prescription and that you are okay/safe to be on it at work from a doctor at the very least. I'm curious, do they ask you to fill out any paperwork beforehand listing what medications you are on? If so, do you put down that you are on Hydrocodone? Also, like solo mentiond, most states are right to work/at will/ whatever you want to call them states, which means your employer can fire you at any time for any reason and not even tell you as long as it's not racist or anything like that. I worked at a job that precluded individuals from working there even if they are legitimately on pain killers even with a doctor's note because opiates can cause drowsiness, weakness, blah blah blah. In other words, even if you have a legitimate bottle, script, or whatever you still have find yourself with a pink slip because of a dirty UA and they may not even give you the chance to explain before they do. Since you already plan on stopping the next time you detox, the best advice you'll get is to quit now before this dose cause a problem in your life. Hope this helps.
September 9, 2009 - 9:16am
#3
Good points...
...although I have to jump back in. The Script was not for wisdom teeth extraction...not sure where that came from. I was prescribed the pills for an ankle injury that actually continues to bother me (although not enough to go back to the doc). The pill bottle says nothing about why they were prescribed, it just says take for severe pain every 3-4 hours as needed, maximum 6 times per day. I always figured that if it came up in a test I would just say I didn't take all the pills when they were prescribed, and then I took them for pain "last night".
My actual question hasn't been answered yet though. Given the dosage I take, do I have more metabolites built up in my body than someone who is using larger amounts sporadically? Or does hydrocodone metabolize out quickly? Am I even taking enough to show up in a standard 5 panel test anyway?
Kelly-to answer your questions. We don't fill out any paperwork before hand. The whole situation is very casual...the mobile lab lady comes out, gives us the cup, sends us to the bathroom, peels the label when we are done, and then throws the cup away, and then we sign a paper stating we took a test. Last time I had to test I told her I take hydrocodone (hadn't taken it for a few days) and she said "it doesn't usually show up"...Later on my friend at work tells me "it was I was signing the paper she said "it didn't come up". I assume that was meant for me (hows that for confidentiality! LOL).
If only I could get my hands on the test cup they use....
September 9, 2009 - 11:45am
#4
f theyre using a standard 5
f theyre using a standard 5 panel test and you only use the drug occasionallly then it might not even show yp. if it does then that kind of test wont differentiate between high daily dosages or just occasional prn use.
i dont think you have much to worry about if you are taking meds that are prescribed to you. some employers have a policy where you have to disclose use of any controlled prescribed
medications. that way if there is a random test and its dirty they dont flip out.
personally, i have been drug tested by my job twice since ive been on opioid pain management treatment. both times i brought documentation showing i am rxd meds that may show up on the test. each time they said "we will contact you if we need info about meds you are prescribed". neither time have they called and no one in the company has said anything...so it probably didnt show up
excuse the poor typing here, im using my phone and this new stupid med im on makes my short range vision so blurry i want 2 stab someone in the face...cant even read what im writing...grrrr
September 9, 2009 - 3:51pm
#5
The reason I said wisdom
The reason I said wisdom teeth extraction as an example is because that is probably the most common one time "injury" that people receive a small-medium one time prescription for hydrocodone. The reason you received the script is obviously a different injury but under similar circumstances. With rest and the hydrocodone the doctor assumed you would be fine by the time the script ran out. As far as your understanding about the ng/mL versus mg/day that is a little off. If you are taking even small amounts of hydrocodone every day you will fail a drug test. Hydrocodones half life is only about 4-6 hours but if you are taking it everyday you will build up a steady level that will take a few days to get out of your system. If you are having a hard time getting your question answered I would also post it on a site that is more for that kind of stuff and not a pill ID site. Take Care
September 10, 2009 - 2:07am
#6
point of order
they will accept it, if at the time of the random drug screenings, the tester asks are You taking any medication, if so what, an what for most times, if it was for take as needed basis, it would be for them to say when the last one was taken., they re looking for something thats not explained. but You taking 25mgs a day would show up as a substainial amount if effective.
after saying that, the point that the 25 mgs of hydrocodone not showing up on their drug screens would lead me to believe that they are either ineffective or fake online look-a-loo s, true hydrocodone will test postive on any drug screen that tests for opiates, by You taking 2 tests an both coming back negative should have told You something.
some other posters chime in on this point of order, not debating the lawfullness of what poster is doing.
Woodstock
Since the prescription you have doesnt expire until jan 2010 that means you probably got it in january of this year, most likely for wisdom teeth extraction I would have to guess. Technically you have a prescription that is valid until next year. However some people, the medical and probably legal field, would look at it as your prescription is only valid as long as it is being used to treat the condition that the medication is prescribed for. The patient leaflet that comes with your script says in it to not use the medication for conditions other than those that the medication was prescribed for, or some variation of that. If it was prescribed for something that you could still need to be taking it for then you have no problems at all. If its something you should have gotten over by now and havent seen the doctor in 9 months for you might have problems. If it really came down to it, it would be how your HR dept. or Union if present looks at it or if its a really good job worth fighting for how lawyers and a courtroom looks at it, unless you are in a at-will employment state like Michigan were you can be fired for absolutely no reason at all. Now as far as what opiates are tested for in a 5 panel. The opiate section is supposed to be limited to Codeine and Morphine metabolites. However I have failed many, many 5 panel tests back when I only took Hydrocodone for pain. Even since they raised the cutoff level from 300ng/mL to 2000ng/mL for some reason Ive failed every test Ive taken.