Drugs Associated with a False Positive Screen for Phencyclidine (PCP)

Description

Abuse of phencyclidine (PCP) is relatively uncommon. A positive screen for PCP is often due to a drug that interferes with the assay.

Drugs that have given false positive screening tests for phencyclidine:

(1) tramadol

(2) dextromethorphan

(3) alprazolam

(4) clonazepam

(5) carvedilol

(6) diphenhydramine

(7) synthetic cathinone derivatives (3.4-methylenedioxyprovalerone = MDPV)

(8) venlafaxine

(9) thioridazine (Mellaril)

(10) ketamine

If a patient has a positive drug screen for phencyclidine and there is no evidence for phencyclidine exposure, then look for other drugs that the patient may have taken.

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Description

Specialty

ICD-10