I've been treated for ADD for at least the past 10 years and prescribed Adderall ( currently taking the generic version by Prasco). I take 25 mg of Adderall XR and 10mg of immediate release mid day. I take my meds religiously. My new doctor gave me two urine test to screen for Amphetamines and BOTH came up negative. He's said he won't prescribe my meds any longer. I am beside myself. He is clearly insinuating that i am doing something other than taking my medication myself. I'm a 47 yr old working mom, never took or take drugs and have never encountered anything like this. What could possible be causing a negative result when I take my medication every day??
Getting a negative result on Amphetam... - CHADD's Adult ADH...
Getting a negative result on Amphetamine urine despite being on generic Adderall daily.
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43 Replies
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Find out what the threshold is for a positive result. Maybe that your dose os not high enough to show a positive but its still in your system. Failing that ask for it to be sent to a lab to be done properly. Sorry thats really rubbish for you, I would be really angry if it was me. If youve taken it as prescribed which it sounds like you have, it will definately show up in lab testing. Hope you get it sorted 
Coming from a medical background, if you take the test before taking the medication, generally these types of methamphetamines don't have a long half life in the body if I remember correctly. That, and it takes a fair bit to pop up positive on those tests. Active Meth users have a crud ton more in their system usually. Think 60 mg pill vs 200 mg pure meth.
It’s very serious for your MD to threaten cancelling the meds. You should either take an advocate and have a convo with him/her or find a second opinion! Ask what the appeals process is and request for a retest of labs. There are times when labs aren’t accurate.
Do you have any clue why they suspected you aren’t taking them?
• in reply tofocusme
Thank you so much ...it’s reassuring that this isn’t an uncommon phenomenon. I feel like I’m being treated like a criminal instead of a patient in need of care.
Why do they even test your urine ? What else would you do with the meds if your not taking them ? This makes no sense
• in reply to
His assumption is if the meds are not showing up in my urine then I must be filling my scripts and selling it
• in reply to
Looool I don't know what's worse, me being labelled a benzo seeker or you being labelled a drug dealer, when did health are become an investigate role ? I've heard it all now. I thought it was just dodgy docs and pharmacists that sold prescription meds, I didn't know they think patients do it too, that would be a hell of a slow way to make profits
• in reply to
As in how much could it even be worth ? Who would go to such lengths ?
• in reply to
I have no idea as I’ve never bought or sold drugs before but apparently it’s a problem with his patients. I’m beside myself and humiliated that my physician would immediately jump to that assumption with no history of such in my background. It angers me that he played judge,jury and executioner instead of trying to figure out why this could be happening. 😞
• in reply to
It seems to be a common theme being judged of late, I was accused of clearly being a benzo seeker in a a doesn't and emergency dept despite having 2 benzo tablets in all of 9 years ... Makes you wonder what the medical staff are taking to make them so suspicious and paranoid of their patients
Housebunny• in reply to
Right! It's so ridiculous... let's commit a felony for a few bucks /s ... those 25mgXR and 10mg are like gold, random people must approach you all the time looking for drugs /s ... Who does he think she would be selling them to?? Like asking random people if they want them? It's absurd. OP is 47 years old and a mom ... pretty sure she wouldn't put her whole life at risk by comitting a felony, and it's just sad and laughable that this doctor can't do the math and realize the risk vs. reward of that situation!
I'm sorry this happened to you. Here's what I always say: if they are a good doctor, they should be able to evaluate a patient's progress and be able to know whether or not they are taking their medication. Testing a patient's urine is not good medicine. It would be so negligent of him to stop prescribing your meds.
Did you get a followup test with a different lab? (And did he even send it to the lab, or did he just do an unreliable dipstick kind?) If not, do not stop insisting. Demand further testing until it shows up. Otherwise, demand they test the pills. You do not want this in your records.
I would find a new doctor too. Another idea, not that you should have to do any of this, but if it comes down to it ... be at his office and have him watch you take your medicine, and take the test again. He will see it is flawed or that the meds are trash.
• in reply toHousebunny
I had my doctor do a blood serum instead of urine screen after two negative ones despite taking my meds regularly. I asked him to do a blood serum initially but he refused. Well....bingo. The blood serum test showed positive for amphedamines, AKA ...I’m AM drug/treatment compliant. No apology of course from my doctor. Being treated shouldn’t be THIS hard.
Needhelp2• in reply to
Hello, I am going through this now. I do not misuse my Adderall. Occasionally, I skip a dose. In the past 8 months only 1 of my urine tests came back positive. My doctor refuses to prescribe it to me now. I have no idea why it is showing up negative. I did not take it last week due to having Covid, but I did take it this week. I tried to request them to take a blood sample and be denied me. I do not have insurance, so I can't just go to any doctor. I am a single mom of one. Being back on Adderall has really helped me get more organized. It helps stay focused on things and finish tasks. I am at a loss of what to do now. I don't understand why he wouldn't take a blood sample. It makes me feel like I am a criminal. It isn't fair that people are out there ruining it for people who need it.
I’m going through the exact same thing. I take my medication every single day as prescribed. How the hell did my urine test come up negative! They aren’t even allowing me a second test and her telling me they’re no longer prescribing me my medication. It feels like a set up and I don’t even know what to do about it. It’s so upsetting I don’t do drugs and I don’t take other medication’s. I feel like I’m being treated like a drug abuser.
It very well could be cheap, faulty generics. This seems to be an issue for many & complaints really exploded during midst of shortage. Go to Reddit & you'll a million posts - and many also showing none in their urine tests as well. Even a big article in the New York Times. If feasible, could always get Name Brand. (Though I've been seeing few comments Name Brand Addy feels weaker ever since the raw material shortage as well. Still seems many conclude name brand has less issues.)
I am in a suboxone program (opiate addiction medication) and I also have been diagnosed with adhd. I take 20mg generic adderall extended release daily. There are plenty of times my urine has showed up negative for amphetamine. Unfortunately my doctor probably has a bias opinion because she’s treating me for addiction so she can easily think I’m selling mine. The God honest truth is that I take it daily AND on the days I see her I make sure to take it BEFORE the appointment. It’s extremely frustrating because it still shows up negative most of the time. Unsurprisingly she wants to stop prescribing it to me. I wish there was a way to figure out why this happens. I can’t find many articles or forums online of people having the same problem so I’m surprised I even came across your post. If you’ve found out any information since you posted please share!
i’m in a suboxone program as well, and was diagnosed with ADHD from them. i’m taking 15mg XR adderall, and some days it shows up in their test, but most the time it doesn’t. i know what you mean, because we’re in a program that means they can think the worst. i’m so upset, because i’ve never slipped, and do what i’m told. it’s just that my adderall isn’t showing up. i definitely advocate for myself, i have an appointment on thursday and they said if it doesn’t show up they will send it to the lab. i have no idea why it wouldn’t show up, especially when i’m taking it the morning of my appointment. hopefully sending it to the lab will show them i am taking it.
Many people having problems with GENERICS. Active ingredient in there, but often 15-20% less. Also they use different binders & fillers which play huge role thru digestion & absorption. Search for generic issue on Reddit, it's huge problem for many. Also New York Times article chronicles frustrated patients no longer getting effects (and not showing on drug screens as well). Some say even Name Brand Addy different ever since raw material shortage, but 90% of the mannny posts Ive read point to cheap generics imported from India and China manufacturers. Go figure..
I can help, if still needed.
I found your post after I "just" now tested neg. for a screen, 3-6-2020. No amphetamines, my tester said. Ive been taking 20 xr adderall about 3 weeks.
I took monthly tests for buprenorphine MAT treatment since July, 2016. Never flunked, even when random. So theyre flexible with me.
Park Cntr. rehab in Ft. Wayne, I.N. You can ee male me at deaddropgmail. Thats at the big Y. Which is Ya and hoo and dot and com. Im giving you my ee male addy in code, as this site may not allow it. Ill try remember to check.
When abusing drugs I disliked meth & coke more than liked.y pals who loved meth said a few they knew were similar.
Sleep med.s made me sloppy. So Dr. Pancner & I tried this angle.
Its weirdly working mostly. I dislike it some. I may stop.
You can make a throwaway email. And get a free 2nd number app, like Textnow or Freetone, to text. After next week, Ill ask they share my med. info. with your doctor, if you wish. If we talk, & you seem ok.
Hello, are you still available for help regarding this question? I realize this is an old thread. But I am facing a very similar problem. I am prescribed 2 different Adderal pills a day- I take one 20mg Adderal XR capsule and one 20mg (DAM) generic adderal instant tablet. I also am prescribed buprenorphine daily as well, along with vitamins too. I also take melatonin and 5htp at night.I get a UA once a month and sometimes my test results for amphetamines come up negative and sometimes positive... which has been so baffling to me because I take all my medications religiously... And as directed.
Why might this be?
Could it be from a drug interaction?
Or could it be that on my tests it says “positive cut off concentration: 1000 ng/mL” (whatever that means) like maybe I’m not taking enough for the cut off? But then why would I sometimes show positive?
I am worried this may cause an issue in the future like it unfortunately did for others who participated in this thread.
Please help!
Did you ever figure this out? I have been taking 10mg XR and got 2 negative urine screens. I’d like to understand why as I took my meds daily. Ugh!
Thanks but I’m all good now. I spoke with my prescribing neurologist shortly after my post and he agreed to forego urine test and do a blood test to check levels. Sure enough my blood work came back positive for my meds and at the appropriate levels. He said it’s rare but some people metabolize Adderrall differently and it’s hard to detect in their urine. Since me he’s had one other patient with the same issue.
Littlebear81• in reply to
Thank you so much for posting this! I am 39 and been on adderall for years and now being tested randomly and both test came back negative and was so worried that my doctor was going to stop writing scripts. I not only take it for ADD I also take it for my autoimmune disease takes all my energy. Next time I see the doctor I will tell him this and see next time they can do blood test
When I had a drug test for work my medication didn’t show up at all even though I had taken it 8hrs before the test. I think you should look into having a blood test done in the morning after you’ve taken it instead or see a new doctor. If they were educated they would understand that it won’t show up after about 6-7hrs.
What did you do because I literally just was told that I'm not taking my adhd meds and I take them every morning.my doctor told me that if my next urine test came back negative then I will be taken off my medication.
I insisted on a blood serum test after two negative urine tests. I gave him my urine test test results from from my previous prescribing doctor that also showed negative on urine testing. I also did my research and brought in articles advising that certain people metabolize amphetamines differently and a urine test is NOT an accurate criteria for these patients. We are the accepting and not the norm, and because of this and because of assholes who abuse our drugs, we are automatically assumed to be drug dealers and put on trial and given the unfair task to prove we meet the clinical criteria for treatment whereas with any other patient it is the physician’s burden to fight for their patient’s appropriate care and treatment.
Vikings101• in reply to
Where are these articles? Can you please forward them to me?
I am so grateful for this post!!! My doctor keeps telling me that my adderall isn’t showing up, I requested my urine screens and I fully expected to see it be POSITIVE sure enough they have been a negative for the last 4 months ( even though I KNOW I take them) she hasn’t threatened me to cut them off yet but she has started calling me for pill counts and questioning why it’s always negative... I know this post is old, but I am going to request. Blood serum test they look for >500 ml/ng range or something of that sort but I can’t find any documentation as to that being typical or low or high? I am MORTIFIED!!! I hope that this will help my doctor to approve my blood serum
Happy I found this tread. I too am having the same issue! I take my medication as prescribed daily but it’s not showing up on my urine drug screen.
Hi,
I had this issue a couple years ago. I nearly fired my PCP over it because I was assumed to be doing something untoward with my medication because it didn't show up on a random UA, nor did it show up on the blood work ordered to "check out my story." Turns out, the provider was ordering tests for job applicants. The detectable levels for job applicants isn't as stringent as one ordered to detect ANY amphetamine in one's system. I was so angry, I asked him to order a hair follicle test until I realized (I'm a nurse) that he was ordering the wrong test. Once the correct blood test was ordered, it showed up at a level within normal range for the dosage I'm on.
This process was going on for something like two weeks and it was early on in the Covid pandemic. In the followup telehealth visit I was treated like a drug addict. I've known this provider for years. Once we were both on video, he quite coldly asked me for my full name and birthdate, which he has never done until my test showed up negative. I'm also a bit on the fluffy side, so that added to the notion that I was selling my medication. Talk about guilty until proven innocent.
After I figured out what the problem was and had an appropriately positive amphetamine level, I wrote the provider a letter over mychart. I very firmly but respectfully requested that any and all references to "drug-seeking behavior" or similar verbiage be corrected in my electronic chart by means of not only a letter explaining the error but that a chart note also be entered into the electronic medical record to annotate their error. I also requested that any flagging of my EMR be removed so the first thing a provider sees when opening my EMR is NOT a reference to drug-seeking behavior.
It was a learning experience for both. Needless to say, I switched providers to a local ARNP who treats ADHD/ADD who sent a consult note to the PCP reflecting I indeed have ADHD. She has managed my medication ever since that go-round with my PCP.
I hope this helps. No one should have to go through an experience like this. Unfortunately, there is a stigma attached to patients with ADD/ADHD who are successfully treated on medication such as Adderall.
Don't back down! 😀
I am dealing with this now and am made to feel like a criminal! The neurologist office will no longer see me and am concerned about seeing a different doctor who will not see me as a whole person. I don’t want being labeled a med seeker when I am not! I have offered to tape myself taking Vyvanse or to come in daily for them to watch me and the office does not care and won’t return my calls. I am in my early 50s and it took me so long to finally see a doctor to take medication for my ADHD. The medication is not even showing up in blood. I don’t know why. I do take other medication for my severe arthritis and not sure if anything can be interacting with the lab results I’ve even asked them to send me to a different lab. I do have an appointment with my GP and hope he will believe me and not put any damaging labels on my chart.
All of this frustrates me so bad. I completely understand what everybody here is complaining about. It is so not fair. I got kicked off a little over a year ago and was fighting it at first with the drug manufacturer. They didn't find any adverse effects and kind of drop to the investigation. I gave up. I felt like I was going to be discounted as a manipulative drug addict looking to scam the system. I gave up the fight but I think about it all the time. I did a Google search tonight because I really want to challenge this but I don't know how
Many people having problems with GENERICS. Active ingredient in there, but often 15-20% less. Also they use different binders & fillers which play huge role thru digestion & absorption. Search for generic issue on Reddit, it's huge problem for many. Also New York Times article chronicles frustrated patients no longer getting effects (and not showing on drug screens as well). Some say even Name Brand Addy different ever since raw material shortage, but 90% of the mannny posts Ive read point to generics. A lot of med manufacturers have popped up in India & China, some people point o these. If feasible, get name brand & go from there.
That is happening to me right now. Twice it came up negative and now they are discontinuing it. I am so frustrated. I am a 42 year old woman that does not use or abuse drugs. Arghh!
I am literally going through this with my doctor now. I have been taking Adderall XR 15mg to treat my ADHD for several years now. My doctor recently decided I should be taking urine tests to prove I am taking my medication. I have taken 2 urine tests now and both came back negative. I am so confused as to why this is happening. I asked my doctor if there were other types of tests I could take and was refused. She told me she would not refill my prescription since I have a negative test and that I have to test again. How can I get a positive test if I am out of my medication? What do I do? I am so confused and frustrated.
where are the journal articles explaining the altered metabolism so that I can show my doctor? This happened to me twice!
There are different tests and some are not sensitive enough to detect a dose, unfortunately. I am a physician and my insurance company Behavioral Health Department requires UAs. I was negative on mine 90 minutes after my 10 mg Adderall dose. I messaged my MD & he didn’t make me repeat it. I am lucky because as a physician I probably am assumed to be compliant (however, we physicians are regular people, too). I was devastated when my UA was negative, thinking I would appear dishonest or like I was selling my medicine (meanwhile, I have never been so happy to take a medication & feel improvement—I would guard it with my life). However, years ago when I had a nerve injury & saw Pain Medicine MD, I had to do UAs at every appointment. That special UA tested for about 900 compounds. Believe me, it was incredibly sensitive and I’m sure I was always positive for my prescription and nothing else. Definitely in a diplomatic way please ask for a blood test or the type of urine test a Pain Medicine specialist orders for patients on a pain contract. Most primary care physicians do not know the difference between these tests and you as the patient can be unfairly penalized as a result.
Do you take thyroid medication? Since i have been prescribed thyroid meds my drug tests come back clean for some odd reason.
Same here! I completely feel your frustration in my gut! I was taking 10 mg XR and every month when I had to go to the doctor I would be questioned why I was coming up either negative or very faint line in my urine test. Unfortunately a lot of people do abuse it so they are very strict with it. But how do you make your doctor believe you that you are taking something when you know you are but it's not showing up? I have a case number with the company that investigates side effects for the drug company. They didn't find anything. I took my Adderall an hour and a half to two hours before my last appointment where I got cut off. My urine showed up negative so the doctor told me she wanted me to go right to the lab to have blood work and I happily agreed. I told her I want you to believe me I will go right now. When I got there the guy at the lab told me that I may be responsible for the bill as insurance may not cover this test. He told me I might have to pay about $150. I said that is absolutely fine it's well worth it to me. My blood test came up negative?! I was Ford I feel so defeated. I don't know how to challenge this but I want to so bad because it really improved my symptoms that frustrate me on a daily basis and lower myself esteem worsening depression. I'm in a bad way right now with this. But I feel like any explaining I try to do to a medical professional they are just going to think I'm a desperate addict trying to scam them
Oh and also I read in some of your posts that you should find a different physician... but then they probably look at that like your doctor shopping and trying to go from Doctor to doctor to get narcotics. It is so frustrating and like the s*** is stacked against us people who actually do go to a doctor to obtain it and take it as prescribed
I think my pharmacy may have been putting something other that medicine in my capsules. I was getting a negitive urine resut until my doctor switched me to tablets. Now i can't get the Adderall because they say there is a shortage ( which i believe) but they had no problem filling it when it was a capsule. Very strange.
Research problems with generics. Huge issue for many these days, started same time as raw material shortage. You can find New York Times article on this plus a bazillion Reddit posts. Most complain generic meds super weak, ineffective, or major side effects + active ingredients not showing up on their drug screens as well.
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