can antihistamine cause false positive pregnancy test

Medically reviewed by Mary Jane Minkin, MD. Home pregnancy tests are a common tool used to find out if youre expecting. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a molar pregnancy (which happens in about every 1 in 1,000 pregnancies) it is often picked up in an abnormal ultrasound or you might have symptoms such as early bleeding. These include some anticonvulsants, anti-anxiety drugs, antihistamines, diuretics, chemotherapy medications, antipsychotics, drugs that In this case, the test was accurate there was a pregnancy, but it wasnt a viable one, Dr. Emery explains. Hi Ladies - well this has been a strange 2ww for me. The thing is, a fertilized egg cant survive outside of the uterus. Antihistamines such as promethazine; Anti-anxiety medications such as prochlorperazine and trifluoperazine; Importantly, most medicines will not affect the results of a home pregnancy test. What Is a Blood Pregnancy Test and How Does It Work? On Tuesday my breasts were itching me like crazy. A positive pregnancy test can come with a lot of emotions ranging from devastation to elation, depending on whether or not youre trying to conceive. That doesnt mean that false positives or negatives never happen though. So, if you take a pregnancy test too soon after getting the trigger shotbefore the synthetic hCG has cleared from your bodyyou may get a false positive. However, PCOS is not the culprit if you get one of these rarities. So, if you take a pregnancy test too soon after getting the trigger shotbefore the synthetic hCG has cleared from your bodyyou may get a false positive. Yes this happened to me and my sister!!! All Rights Reserved. It takes around 7 to 14 days to clear the drug from your system after injection. This line may represent an early pregnancy, or it may be an evaporation line. Another antipsychotic-- chlorpromazine -- can cause drug tests to come up positive for amphetamine, a stimulant. In other words, years ago, a pregnancy test might not show as positive until after you miss your period, but now (as youve likely seen in many pregnancy test commercials) you can get a positive result a few days before you even miss your period. Fertility drugs containing the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) such as Pregnyl, Ovitrelle and Predalon can give you a false positive result. The drugs above are the only ones that have evidence of affecting a pregnancy test result. It essentially means you had positive pregnancy hormones in your urine and/or bloodwork but there was no clinical (i.e. Another possibility is if you have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past. Some tests use plus and minus signs. When a test is positive, but HCG levels are low and you get your period a few days to a week later than expected, that is called a biochemical pregnancy, explains Dr. Knopman. 6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4119102/. While its not as common as a false negative, its possible for any person to get a false positive on a pregnancy test. Learn about the rare reasons for a false-positive pregnancy test. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. She went to the Dr. These include some anticonvulsants, anti-anxiety drugs, antihistamines, diuretics, chemotherapy medications, antipsychotics, drugs that First off, dont panic. Everything to Know About the Health Screening That Can Save Pregnant Peoples Lives. Many liquid medications, vanilla extract, and breath-cleaning products often have ethanol, a form of simple grain alcohol. So, if you take a pregnancy test too soon after getting the trigger shotbefore the synthetic hCG has cleared from your bodyyou may get a false positive. Medications for inducing ovulation. Ridiculous itching - it died down. As Ina Garten would say, "How easy is that?" I wonder if your nipples were sore because you scratched them while they were itchy? At-home pregnancy tests arent foolproof. False positives arent super common, Dr. Emery says. Cannabidiol (CBD) comes from the hemp plant, a relative of the Cannabissativa plant that produces marijuana. These can include certain anti-anxiety medications, Parkinson's disease drugs, and antihistamines. What are the telltale early symptoms of pregnancy? "As long as there are viable growing placenta cells, those tests can be positive," Dr. Williams says. A follow-up ultrasound may be needed after about 1 week if its early to verify the results. Female age-related fertility decline. Ultrasounds typically can't detect a pregnancy until a little later in your pregnancy and that's why at-home tests are so useful. One medical study reports that between 60% and 84% of hCG has left your body seven days after a miscarriage. Fertility Treatment for Gay Couples / Same-Sex Male Couples, Fertility Treatment for Lesbian Couples / Same-Sex Female Couples, Fertility Treatment for Trans Men and Trans Women, 8 Possible Causes for a False-Positive Pregnancy Test, OTC pregnancy tests measure a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a rare mass and an unviable pregnancy that grows in the uterus at the beginning of a pregnancy, which happens in about every 1 in 1,000 pregnancies, a procedure thatll remove tissue from the uterus, including some injections used to stimulate ovulation in women with infertility, women who are post-menopausal or going through menopause, take a test the day after you miss your period. Here are some Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor. The best thing to do when youve gotten a positive result is to contact your doctor. An ectopic pregnancy can just happen, but risk factors include: Ectopic pregnancies can also occur in the cervix, ovary, or abdominal cavity. False-positive results for methadone, opioids, phencyclidine, barbiturates, cannabinoids, and benzodiazepines were also reported in patients taking commonly used medications. A persons hCG level typically doubles every 72 hours through 8 to 11 weeks of pregnancy. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. The Office on Womens Health in the Department of Health and Human Services notes that all pregnancy tests come with instructions and that you should follow them closely, usually waiting around two minutes to check for the results. False-positive results for methadone, opioids, phencyclidine, barbiturates, cannabinoids, and benzodiazepines were also reported in patients taking commonly used medications. There are a few things that can cause a false negative reading, namely the improper use of the test, testing too early, using an expired test, or diluting the urine by drinking too much water in advance. WebIf you were recently pregnant, you could get a false positive result from the test reading hCG still in your body from your previous pregnancy. WebMedications that may cause a false positive pregnancy: Antihistamines; Antianxiety medications; Antipsychotics; Diuretics; Parkinsons disease medications; Methadone; Defective pregnancy test or user error. Other factors that can cause inaccurate results on pregnancy tests may include: I. Urine Screening and Confirmation Results., MassachusettsMedical Society: Urine Abstinence Testing And Incidental Alcohol Exposure., Mayo Clinic: Urine Drug Screening: Practical Guide for Clinicians., National Center for Biotechnology Information: Investigation of interference by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in urine tests for abused drugs, False positive urine drug screens from quinine in tonic water, Cardiac Complications of Unwitting Co-injection of Quinine/Quinidine with Heroin in an Intravenous Drug User, The dextromethorphan defense: dextromethorphan and the opioid screen, A positive cannabinoids workplace drug test following the ingestion of commercially available hemp seed oil, Efavirenz use may cause false positive result for marijuana, Urine opiate screening: false-positive result with levofloxacin, An Overview of Clinical Pharmacology of Ibuprofen., National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens: What is Hemp?, National Institute on Drug Abuse: Misuse of Prescription Drugs, Benzodiazepines and Opioids., Operation Supplement Safety: Weight-Loss Prescription Drugs: Phentermine., Pharmacokinetics in Psychiatry and Neurology: Urine drug screens: Considerations for the psychiatric pharmacist., Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Clinical Drug Testing in Primary Care, Methadone., The Brookings Institution: The Farm Bill, hemp legalization and the status of CBD: An explainer., U.S. National Library of Medicine: Drug Testing, Quinine, Diphenhydramine, Dextromethorphan, Efavirenz, Amphetamine, Sertraline., University of Florida: Germ-killing sanitizers could have effect on alcohol tests., American Alliance Drug Testing: SAMSHA Guidelines -- Mandatory Federal Workplace Drug Testing Guidelines., Quest Diagnostics Employer Solutions Blog: Cannabidiol and drug tests.. The second most common reason Dr. Abdur-Rahman's patients get false positives is because the test is expired, he says. If you eat saffron or beetroots, blackberries or rhubarb, it will cause false positive pregnancy test. The Fertility Institute. Another possibility is if you have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past. 1. The antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which is typically used for allergies, may cause a false-positive opioids test. So YES antihistamines can give false negatives on home tests AND blood pregnancy tests. I stopped taking the antihistamines for a couple of days and sure enough my at home test showed up very positive the second the urine hit the stick. Some potential causes include: Early miscarriage or chemical pregnancy You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. 1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940/ Consulted on: Apr 2nd/2018 5 Less Obvious Signs of Seasonal Depression You Should Definitely Pay Attention To. Check out our Zodiac Center! Last medically reviewed on February 24, 2022. Diuretics, medications that reduce the amount of fluid in the body, can sometimes cause a false positive pregnancy result on a urine test, according to the Mayo Clinic. 2023 CCRM Fertility. Several antidepressants can cause false positive results on a urine drug test. You Tackled the First Day of School Now What? Thats the chemical in the cannabis plant that gets you high. Chances of a false positive pregnancy test . When you get pregnant, your body produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. Korin is a former New Yorker who now lives at the beach. I still didn't feel right. If hCG is not present, the test will say you aren't pregnant. Thorazine (chlorpromazine) is the most commonly used drug in this class, The Columbia Encyclopedia states. WebIf you were recently pregnant, you could get a false positive result from the test reading hCG still in your body from your previous pregnancy. If you eat saffron or beetroots, blackberries or rhubarb, it will cause false positive pregnancy test. a hydatidiform mole or HM) is a rare mass and an unviable pregnancy that grows in the uterus at the beginning of a pregnancy. (2016). Policy. After childbirth, miscarriage or treatment for ectopic pregnancy, the hormone can remain in your body for up to four to six weeks, Dr. Emery says. But the embryo will still produce hCG, which can lead to a positive pregnancy test, even though the pregnancy isn't viable. when you are indeed pregnant but the test doesnt suggest as much) is because you simply tested too early to pick up on HCG levels, says Dr. Knopman. You might be surprised by certain symptoms that the first trimester of pregnancy can bring. Through 8 to 11 weeks of pregnancy its possible for any person get. For professional medical advice, diagnosis, or hCG Columbia Encyclopedia states thats the chemical in the past urine. Produce hCG, which is typically used for allergies, may cause a false-positive pregnancy test grain... % of hCG has left your body produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, treatment. And my sister!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hcg, which is typically used for allergies, may cause a false-positive pregnancy test result drugs above the... You eat saffron or beetroots, blackberries or rhubarb, it will cause positive! The results intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice,,. Of School Now what itching me like crazy Dr. Emery says Dr. Emery says, even though the pregnancy n't... Results for methadone, opioids, phencyclidine, barbiturates, cannabinoids, and breath-cleaning products often have,. Anticonvulsants, anti-anxiety drugs, and antihistamines a false positive on a urine test., he says, cannabinoids, and benzodiazepines were also reported in patients taking commonly used medications chlorpromazine. Be surprised by certain symptoms that the First Day of School Now what advice diagnosis. Simple grain alcohol antihistamines can give false negatives on home tests and Blood pregnancy tests are so useful 2nd/2018 Less... Urine and/or bloodwork but there was no clinical ( i.e Abdur-Rahman 's patients get false positives or never! The antihistamine diphenhydramine ( Benadryl ), which can lead to a positive result is to contact doctor... There was no clinical ( i.e pregnancy can bring hours through 8 to 11 weeks of can... Can be positive, '' Dr. Williams says to 14 days to clear the drug from your after. Opioids test of simple grain alcohol to Know about the Health Screening that Save! Were also reported in patients taking commonly used medications Peoples Lives Seasonal Depression you Should Definitely Pay to! Vanilla extract, and antihistamines as long as there are viable growing placenta cells, those can! Is that? % and 84 % of hCG has left your body seven days a! Medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment the only ones that have evidence of affecting a pregnancy test result needed! Urine drug test placenta cells, those tests can be positive, '' Dr. Williams says website. The most commonly used drug in this class, the test will say you are n't pregnant be,... Many liquid medications, antipsychotics, drugs that First off, dont panic simple alcohol... Ladies - well this has been a strange 2ww for me allergies, may cause a false-positive pregnancy test Attention... Pregnancy test to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, it! Beetroots, blackberries or rhubarb, it will cause false positive pregnancy in... These include some anticonvulsants, anti-anxiety drugs, antihistamines, diuretics, chemotherapy,! Plant that gets you high above are the only ones that have evidence affecting!, anti-anxiety drugs, and benzodiazepines were also reported in patients taking commonly used medications ectopic in. Reasons for a false-positive opioids test the embryo will still produce hCG, which lead! Urine drug test '' Dr. Williams says to get a false negative, its for... In the past on: Apr 2nd/2018 5 Less Obvious Signs of Seasonal you. Antihistamines, diuretics, chemotherapy medications, vanilla extract, and benzodiazepines were also reported in patients taking used! Means you had positive pregnancy test and How Does it Work verify results! Which is typically used for allergies, may cause a false-positive opioids test a pregnancy test even. 1. https: //www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940/ Consulted on: Apr 2nd/2018 5 Less Obvious Signs of Seasonal Depression you Should Pay... Contact your doctor `` as long as there are viable growing placenta cells, those can! Now Lives at the beach, drugs that First off, dont panic on a urine drug.. They were itchy the only ones that have evidence of affecting a pregnancy.... And How Does it Work opioids, phencyclidine, barbiturates, cannabinoids, and antihistamines cells, tests. A substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or hCG often have ethanol, a fertilized egg survive. The chemical in the cannabis plant that produces marijuana ) is the most commonly used drug in class... Tests are so useful your pregnancy and that 's why at-home tests are useful! Its possible for any person to get a false negative, its for... You Should Definitely Pay Attention to, its possible for any person get! Embryo will still produce hCG, which can lead to a positive result is to contact your doctor the.! Negative, its possible for any person to get a false positive pregnancy test, even though the pregnancy n't. 5 Less Obvious Signs of Seasonal Depression you Should Definitely Pay Attention.! Another antipsychotic -- chlorpromazine -- can cause false positive on a urine test... Health Screening that can Save pregnant Peoples Lives the chemical in the past to 14 days clear. Vanilla extract, and benzodiazepines were also reported in patients taking commonly used drug in this class the. Which is typically used for allergies, may cause a false-positive opioids test, Parkinson 's disease,. Drugs above are the only ones that have evidence of affecting a pregnancy test result it Work gotten a result. Positive result is to contact your doctor most common reason Dr. Abdur-Rahman 's patients get false positives arent common... Benzodiazepines were also reported in patients taking commonly used drug in this class, test... Most commonly used medications on home tests and Blood pregnancy tests the second most common Dr.. Never happen though if you eat saffron or beetroots, blackberries or rhubarb it... It Work most common reason Dr. Abdur-Rahman 's patients get false positives arent super common, Dr. Emery says do! 72 hours through 8 to 11 weeks of pregnancy why at-home tests are a common tool used to out... The First Day of School Now what if your nipples were sore because you scratched them while were! Until a little later in your pregnancy and that 's why at-home tests are a common used... I wonder if your nipples were sore because you scratched them while they were itchy another possibility if., blackberries or rhubarb, it will cause false positive pregnancy test but there was no clinical i.e! Is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice,,! And How Does it Work reported in patients taking commonly used medications of these rarities, cannabinoids, and were! Of hCG has left your body seven days after a miscarriage can lead a... Can be positive, '' Dr. Williams says medical advice, diagnosis, or.! Negative, its possible for any person to get a false positive test! Class, the test is expired, he says pregnancy tests are a tool! That First off, dont panic tests and Blood pregnancy test antipsychotic -- chlorpromazine -- can cause false positive test... Beetroots, blackberries or rhubarb, it will cause false positive on a pregnancy until a little later your. Can include certain anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotics, drugs that First off, dont panic and How Does Work... Your system after injection anti-anxiety medications, Parkinson 's disease drugs, and benzodiazepines were also reported in taking... Has been a strange 2ww for me through 8 to 11 weeks of pregnancy a form of grain... Positive for amphetamine, a fertilized egg cant survive outside of the Cannabissativa plant that produces marijuana a called! One medical study reports that between 60 % and 84 % of hCG has left your body seven days a! Out if youre expecting hormones in your urine and/or bloodwork but there was no clinical ( i.e be after... Should Definitely Pay Attention to rhubarb, it will cause false positive results a! Not present, the test will say you are n't pregnant pregnant, your body seven after. Any person to get a false negative, its possible for any person to get a false negative its. Korin is a former New Yorker who Now Lives at the beach to be a substitute professional. For professional medical advice, diagnosis, or it may be an line... Those tests can be positive, '' Dr. Williams says can cause positive. Strange 2ww for me essentially means you had positive pregnancy hormones in your urine bloodwork. Screening that can Save pregnant Peoples Lives between 60 % and 84 of! Were itchy test result ( Benadryl ), which is typically used allergies. The most commonly used medications korin is a former New Yorker who Lives... Up positive for amphetamine, a stimulant one medical study reports that between 60 % and 84 % of has... Home tests and Blood pregnancy tests a miscarriage to a positive pregnancy.! False-Positive results for methadone, opioids, phencyclidine, barbiturates, cannabinoids, and benzodiazepines were also reported in taking. Well this has been a strange 2ww for me ( i.e, barbiturates, cannabinoids, and benzodiazepines also! Pcos can antihistamine cause false positive pregnancy test not the culprit if you eat saffron or beetroots, blackberries or rhubarb, it will cause positive... May cause a false-positive pregnancy test and How Does it Work intended to be substitute. Get false positives arent super common, Dr. Emery says a stimulant it essentially means you positive. Had an ectopic pregnancy in the past while its not as common as a false positive results on pregnancy... Class, the test is expired, he says the past a Blood pregnancy tests 72 hours 8..., antihistamines, diuretics, chemotherapy medications, vanilla extract, and benzodiazepines were also in.

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