Question
Can HIV meds make me fail a recreational drug screening test?
20 September 2011. Related: All topics, Drug interactions.
I would like to know what HIV meds can produce a false positive on a drug screen.
Answer
In general, most HIV drug should have no impact on drug tests.
Efavirenz may be an exception, because when it was first approved there were reports that it might cause testing for marijuana to be false positive.
I thought that the tests used for recreational drugs had become more refined since then, but theoretically, this might still be a worry. A false positive test for marijuana can be checked using a more specific test.
The SPC leaflet (Specific Product Characteristics) for efavirenz documents this as a problem with only one make of test: “False positive test results have only been observed with the CEDIA DAU Multi-Level THC assay, which is used for screening, and have not been observed with other cannabinoid assays tested including tests used for confirmation of positive results.”
However, a more recent study reported that people taking efavirenz had a high rate of false-positive tests for benzodiazepines (including commonly used drugs like diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). The same study found no false positive results for marijuana.
hi i take Biktarvy will it cause a false positive for marijuana or illegal drugs, i need this job to support my kids and I don’t use any illicit drugs. Should I stop taking Biktarvy until after the test. Please let me know
Hi Notil,
Please see previous answers with this link.
I am taking efavirenz lamivudine and tenefovir as m meds for hiv. Will i get positive results on drug test? Please help.
Hi Konan,
You don’t have to tell anyone about your status. Please see the previous answer from Roy.
Hi Konan,
This link shows research from 2013. It says efavirenz dose not cause false positive urine cannabis test results. I hope that helps.
Whats the latest update on taking efavrnes, I’m worried for the result of drug test, what should I do if it is resulting falsw posstve?
Hi Terry, There is a similar question answered in a comment here.
I take Genvoya am getting a drug test done before I get hired on at a job. Will I have a problem with a faults Positive? I want this job.
Hi Louis,
Its very unlikely that the meds that you’re taking are going to cause a false positive drugs test. So you should be fine.
Yes I take trvada and norvia and lexvia will any of these meds cause a positive illegal drug test results?