dan46
Journeyman
Reged: 01/07/02
Posts: 50
Loc: n.j., usa
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If a person has to take a drug test and are asked if they are taking meds and they say yes but their script is old
are they 'busted?
ie: Let's say a person has a few bottles of hydro due to having multiple fractures in their back but doesnt always have to take the meds so they save them and take them only when needed but don't bother to get refills except perhaps every 6 months or so
Someone told me if the script is within 6 months he is ok but another person said the script could be older than that as long as the person has the bottle and script label handy
thanks for info on this--person is in Pa.
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lilstraw
Member
Reged: 03/01/03
Posts: 127
Loc: california
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I may be wrong but I saw on another site I forget which(theres a link to it at main page of DB think its vaults of eroid)that they normally dont test for hydrocodone.
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toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1433
Loc: MidWest USA
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The runof the mill test doesn't llokt for hydrocodone specifically. That or anything else in the opiate family will show up as "heroin" on your drug test. Just my opinion, but I would just disclose that you have been taken vicodin (prescribed for pain). I doubt they are going to ask you to bring in the bottle or quiz you on why or when it was described. That strikes me as a possible disability act no-no.
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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Klempsch
Newbie
Reged: 11/26/02
Posts: 48
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My experience with this is that it all depends on the policy and attitude of the testing facility, and the employer's requirements. The policy of many facilities that you must have a "current" prescription from a local doctor/pharmacy is sometimes strictly enforced. If you have a script for 30 tablets with instructions for 3 tabs/day, if the date of your test is more than 10 days past the fill date, it is no longer a current script. How strictly this policy is enforced just depends on the people doing the testing. My personal policy is that it is best to get a few days advance notice of the test, stop taking the meds, and say "no" I'm not taking any meds. You only need 3-4 days for hydro to get out of your system enough to pass the test, and drinking lots of water during that time helps. The "local" doc/pharmacy requirement is also an issue for some testing facilities, which is a problem when an OP is involved.
It's certainly true that having to stop taking your meds for several days is a terrible thing to have to deal with. It's such a problem that for me, my employer's drug testing policy was a major factor in deciding which job to get. As far as I'm concerned, it isn't something I'd be willing to do on a regular basis. If I need to take a medication that they test for and they test on a regular basis, they would have to either be willing to accept it or I'd look for a new job.
Sorry for the wordy reply, it's just a subject that has been a major aggravation for me.
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grizzlypaw
Journeyman
Reged: 02/23/03
Posts: 87
Loc: Show Me State
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As far as what is considered a CURRENT script...on all my med bottles ( and i have a bunch ) they all say discard after such and such date.... That date is 1 year from date of the first fill....Look at some of your med bottles...This is JMO... 
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Stay as pain free as you can....grizzlypaw
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toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1433
Loc: MidWest USA
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Quote:
As far as what is considered a CURRENT script...on all my med bottles ( and i have a bunch ) they all say discard after such and such date.... That date is 1 year from date of the first fill....Look at some of your med bottles...This is JMO...
I think that's the alleged "expiration" date.
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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dan46
Journeyman
Reged: 01/07/02
Posts: 50
Loc: n.j., usa
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Klempsch
thanks for the info
I never heard of the "local" requirement on the scripts--
I only thought that a DR had to prescribe the meds!
Also, I have meds from over 6 months ago I still have as I only use as I need for my back (multiple crushed verebres[sp]) but if it was acting-up I don't think I could even go the few days or week to be certain I did not test positive.
Plus, it really irks me that one is treated like such a child when they have to be tested.
If I have a script for pain and decide to only use as
necessary why should I be punished?
Drug testing is ridiculous when it discriminates against people who have legitimate pain
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Klempsch
Newbie
Reged: 11/26/02
Posts: 48
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Yes, drug testing bites, bigger than just about anything imo.
Here is a sample from the drug testing policy I copied from a manual:
"If a drug screen is positive for prescription drug use, the employee must provide to the medical review officer a bona fide verification of a valid current prescription for the drug identified in the drug screen. The prescription must be written by a medical doctor and be in the employee's name."
When they say "current" they aren't referring to the drug expiration date... they are talking about the time period the script is supposed to cover. They divide the quantity by the number of tablets per day according to the instructions, and that's how many days it is "current." Personally, I would not walk into a test without knowing up front what their policy is. If you know where the test is being given, just call them and ask what their policy is on testing with regard to prescription drugs, you don't have to identify yourself. The place I went to added the word "local" before "medical doctor," so telling them about my out-of-state OP prescription was out of the question anyway, I didn't even try -- not all places have that requirement I don't think.
I've read on this board that ultram does not show up on normal drug screens, they have to test specifically for it, which is only done in very rare circumstances. If you're one of those rare individuals who actually gets some pain relief from it, that's one option, you could switch off for a few days. Otherwise, you may also be selling yourself short if you don't at least consider that you may be able to explain your situation to your employer and get some understanding. The testing place is just going to go by the book and not consider any other factors, but the boss might just be willing to work with you on it and recognize the validity of your pain management regimen. If you explain that the pain meds are only needed occasionally and that you save them up, he may be understanding, perhaps he has even had some personal experience that might help him (or her) relate. Then again, maybe not, it's just something to consider. Good luck, I hope you get thru it ok.
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Stacy
Enthusiast
Reged: 11/15/02
Posts: 245
Loc: USA
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Well that local thing is crazy. My dad orders all his drugs 3 months at a time (per his insurance). He sends the scripts in and the name on the bottle is a doc in that state.
His scripts are very valid and he is doing what is legal and what his insurance requires him to do.
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toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1433
Loc: MidWest USA
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Quote:
If you have a script for 30 tablets with instructions for 3 tabs/day, if the date of your test is more than 10 days past the fill date, it is no longer a current script.
If it says anywhere on the bottle "take as needed" this isn't true. All my bottle from NWW say "as needed".
Sure, a really inquisitive employer might wonder while you are still taking hydro prescribed for a root canal six months ago as needed. Buy I honestly have a hard time believing that most employers are going to go through the hassle of asking you to bring in your meds and check the expiration date. Some types of employers are stricter than others--casinos, notoriously, use the hair test which catches "everything" and will detect anything you've taken for the past severl months. As far as a uriine test goes, the rate at which levels become low enough to be undetectable depends on a lot of things. If this is a job you really, really want then you best make sure that you have current and legitimate prescriptions for anything and everything they might find. If they use the hair test, and your scripts are rally out of date, you are screwed one way or another.
My thoughts and perceptions are mostly taken from www.erowid.org which, while not always completely up to date, has alot of very comprehensive information on this subject.
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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prettyday
Threadhead
Reged: 02/09/03
Posts: 945
Loc: Coastal Sage Scrub
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What if one went to a doc in the box around the time one knew the test would be administered?
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
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Klempsch
Newbie
Reged: 11/26/02
Posts: 48
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I agree with your point, that's why I also said "How strictly this policy is enforced just depends on the people doing the testing." They are the ones who decide to report to the employer whether the test results were positive or negative. If they or the employer are willing to accept the claim that the script lasted longer than it would have according to the instructions because it was only taken as needed, then of course it wouldn't be a problem. The point I wanted to make is that you need to know beforehand how they are going to handle it, and not walk into it just trusting/hoping that they will be reasonable about it. I definitely wouldn't want to do that, and the more time has gone by, the less likely it is they are going to accept the explanation... if it's a matter of days, they probably would -- weeks, maybe -- months, probably not. The way I see it, "maybe" and "probably" is not sufficient when it comes to the question of whether or not I'll be able to keep my job, and that's why I think it's a good idea to find out ahead of time exactly what the policy is.
For out-of-state scripts filled through an insurance plan, the doctor is still local, even though the pharmacy isn't, and that's all that matters. Even if it is a 3-month supply, the label still shows the time period the prescription is considered to be current, so it wouldn't be a problem.
Edited by Klempsch (05/09/03 11:52 AM)
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Klempsch
Newbie
Reged: 11/26/02
Posts: 48
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If you're asking whether it would be helpful to see a doctor and get a prescription for a small quantity so you'd have a current, local prescription to show them when you go for your test, then absolutely, that would be a perfect solution.
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 884
Loc: usa
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It doesn't matter how old the script is...in fact, the longer you've kept the bottle around, the more judicious you appear in terms of use...I wouldn't show them that you have multiple scripts of the same med from different sources, but the reason they ask what meds your on, is so when they do the test, they can rule out meds your legitimately taking. Very, Very, Very unlikely you'll have to produce the actual script/bottle of meds you list. In fact, I haven't ever heard of anyone being asked to produce such information (I'm a nurse)...so list the meds your taking, in the unlikely case they ask to see some sort of proof the med was prescribed to you, take one and only one (the most recent) prescription bottle to show --relax, it's no big deal..You'd really only have to worry about a scheduled drug showing up in your urine that wasn't prescribed 
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 884
Loc: usa
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The length of time required to "clear" an opiate from your system depends on how long you've been on them & how much you've been taking, along with the efficiency of your liver and your kidneys....so, if your drug testing for a job, or more importantly any legal sort of reason (court ordered, etc)...I wouldn't rely on trying to "clear your system" and then saying you don't take a med you've been taking...and you don't have to take all of your vicodin(or whatever) within a prescribed period of time to be current. Once it's prescribed, it's prescribed P.R.N (look at your bottle), literally translates "as needed" for pain....if four months from now, you have pain, and you still have your Vicodin around, you're perfectly safe in taking it and listing it on a drug test as a medication you're currently taking...also, drinking alot of water prior to a drug test alters your urine's specific gravity....which basically measures the amount of solutes vs water in your urine....all drug testing facilities have a cut off(varies from facility to facility)if your specific gravity is below that level, you have to take the test again,it's also a huge RED FLAG, so it's not a good strategy. RELAX, you have legitimate medication, prescribed to you P.R.N....if you needed it, it's ok list it and trust me, they won't ask for the bottle
Edited by IMSUSCOT1 (05/15/03 09:26 PM)
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samw420
Member
Reged: 12/19/01
Posts: 142
Loc: NYC Metro Area
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As long as the script is in your name you have legal cause to take the drug. There's no law or rule that says you have to ingest all of your meds within a certain timeframe (antibiotics excluded for obvious reason). Also, hydrocodone is an opiate and would show up on a standard drug test as such, or even heroin. I definately recommend you disclose your hydro use to the nurse or doctor administering the test. Bring the script bottle with you ot show that you are a legitimate user.
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SW
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