Drug and Alcohol Testing Q&A - 2004

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Codeine (OTC from Michigan, for example)

From: Dr. Steve
Date: 20 Dec 2004
Time: 10:36:30 -0800
Remote Name: 12.10.202.94

Comments

Scenario: Mr. Smith goes to the local pharmacy and buys OTC cough medicine. He signs for it (as is customary) at the pharmacy. A few weeks later, his wife Mrs. Smith, uses this OTC cough medicine and subsequently tests positives for opiates. Presuming that all of the above checks out, is this a positive test for opiates, since Mrs. Smith did not get this at the pharmacy (Mr. Smith did), or can it be downgraded to a negative test since this is an OTC medication? Is it acceptable for Mrs. Smith to use her husbands OTC codeine.

- Similar question for codeine purchased in Canada.

- Similar question for codeine (perhaps other drugs) purchased in Mexico.

Thanks.