Can you fail a drug test for flexeril?
Have you ever been asked to take a drug test at work and found yourself panicking over whether or not the prescription medication you’re taking will cause you to fail? It’s a common concern, especially if you’ve recently started taking something like Flexeril. So, can you fail a drug test for Flexeril? Let’s dive in and find out.
What is Flexeril?
Flexeril (generic name cyclobenzaprine) is a muscle relaxant that works by blocking nerve impulses that are sent from your muscles to your brain. It’s typically prescribed to treat muscle spasms caused by injuries or other conditions like fibromyalgia.
How Long does Flexeril Stay in Your System?
The half-life of Flexeril ranges from 8-37 hours depending on how much is taken and individual factors such as metabolism. The general rule of thumb is that it takes roughly five half-lives for the drug to be fully eliminated from your system. This means that it may take anywhere from one day up to two weeks before all traces have disappeared.
Why do Employers Test for Drugs?
Employers typically test their employees for drugs because they want to ensure safety in the workplace. If someone is under the influence while working, they could cause harm not only to themselves but others as well. Additionally, if an employee has an addiction problem, they may be more likely to miss work or make errors on the job.
Types of Drug Tests
There are several types of drug tests employers might use:
- Urine testing which detects past use rather than current impairment
- Blood testing which lookbacks recent use
- Saliva testing
- Hair follicle testing
- Breathalyzer
The type of test chosen depends on what substances they’re looking for along with cost considerations.
Can You Fail a Drug Test from Taking Flexeril?
While cyclobenzaprine is not included in the standard drug tests, it can still sometimes cause a false positive. There are several drugs that it can be mistaken for such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), such as amitriptyline, barbiturates like phenobarbital, and benzodiazepines like Xanax. These drugs have similar chemical structures or metabolites that interact with enzyme systems used to perform these common drug tests.
If you do test positive for one of these substances because of taking flexeril, there’s nothing sinister going on – just an innocent mistake caused by similarly structured molecules present in both medications.
What Happens if You Fail a Drug Test?
Failing a drug test typically comes with consequences depending on your employer’s policies. For some employers who conduct their own testing procedures, one failed test may result in immediate termination while others may allow another chance after completing rehab treatment program.
Some individuals may also face legal ramifications if they’re caught using illegal substances during work hours since this is often considered misconduct and could lead to federal regulations against the company including fines levied upon them for each incident reported.
Tips to Avoid Failing a Drug Test
- Be sure to inform your healthcare provider about any medications currently prescribed before taking otc or herbal supplements which could interfere with its effectiveness.
- Keep copies of prescriptions handy along with details related dosage, frequency scheduled administrations; so workers know what type(s) were taken they understand necessity behind use.
- If alcohol consumption cannot be avoided altogether then aim instead limit number amount consumed minimum 48-hour period leading up screening procedure date — anything beyond this puts person significant risk failing required cut-off levels mandated collection industry standards maintained laboratories conducting process whereby various toxicology results tabulated calibrated prior presentation participant final report disseminated those seeking clarity determination outcome as issue diagnostics provider but also company contact supervision responsible administering program itself.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is possible to fail a drug test from taking Flexeril, the chances are low unless you’ve been using other drugs that can cause false positives or have taken the medication in large amounts more frequently than prescribed. Always be honest about your prescription use with your employer and healthcare providers to avoid any confusion down the line.
Remember – preparation is key if ever faced with work-required drug screening procedures!