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Will Amitriptyline Show Up on a Drug Test?

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Will Amitriptyline Show Up on a Drug Test?

Many people ask: Will amitriptyline show up on a drug test? This is a good question if you take this medicine for mental health or pain. It is smart to know how a drug test works and what to expect.

Drug tests are used by laboratory teams, doctors, or health care jobs. These tests can look at urine, saliva, or blood. They look for drugs like amphetamine, methamphetamine, opioid, benzodiazepine, and even cannabinoid such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

A urine test is the most common way. It checks for many kinds of medication or drugs. This article gives clear information about amitriptyline and how it can be seen on a drug screen.

Will Amitriptyline Show Up on a Drug Test

What is Amitriptyline?

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. It is a medicine used to help people with:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia (trouble with sleep)
  • Migraine
  • Pain

It changes the way serotonin and norepinephrine work in your brain. Doctors in psychiatry and mental health treatment use it for major depressive disorder and even bipolar disorder sometimes.

Why Drug Tests Are Done

Drug tests are done for many reasons:

  • Jobs
  • School
  • Substance abuse or addiction programs
  • After a car crash
  • Health checks with a physician

Some tests check for controlled substances like opioid, barbiturate, or stimulant drugs. Others check for alcohol or smoke exposure.

Will Amitriptyline Show Up on a Drug Test?

Amitriptyline is not a drug that most tests look for. But it can sometimes cause false positives and false negatives.

This means a test may say you used a drug when you did not (false positive) or may miss something (false negative).

In a urinalysis or immunoassay (a kind of screening), amitriptyline can look like drugs such as:

  • LSD or phencyclidine (PCP)
  • Methadone
  • Benzodiazepine
  • Amphetamine

This is why a second test called gas chromatography or chromatography with mass spectrometry is done. This is very good at finding the right metabolite (tiny pieces of the medicine in your body).

woman thinking about her depression

Can Amitriptyline Be Mistaken for Other Drugs?

Yes. Some antidepressant or antipsychotic drugs can confuse a drug test. Amitriptyline may cause a test to look like you used methadone or PCP.

Other medicines that can cause the same problem include:

  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
  • Cyclobenzaprine
  • Trazodone
  • Dextromethorphan (cold medicine)
  • Quetiapine
  • Sertraline
  • Fluoxetine
  • Bupropion
  • Venlafaxine
  • Imipramine
  • Clomipramine
  • Desipramine
  • Thioridazine
  • Chlorpromazine

How Does the Test Work?

When you take a urine test, the lab checks the concentration of drug parts called metabolites.

Some tests also use saliva, hair, or blood. These tests use special enzyme methods like an assay.

If the first test shows something strange, the lab does gas chromatography or toxicology to be sure.

Other Things That Can Change a Drug Test

Other drugs and medicine can confuse a test. These include:

  • Ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen
  • Antihistamine like doxylamine or promethazine
  • Pseudoephedrine (cold decongestant)
  • Oxycodone, hydrocodone, tramadol, codeine, morphine
  • Opioid analgesic (pain medicine)
  • Methadone
  • Alprazolam, diazepam
  • Barbiturate
  • Alcohol
  • Metformin for diabetes
  • Beta blocker like labetalol, diltiazem for hypertension and blood pressure
  • Stimulant for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder like methylphenidate

Even foods like poppy seed or tea can change results.

person laying in bed depressed

What to Do If You Take Amitriptyline and Need a Drug Test

Tell Your Physician or Laboratory

Always tell the laboratory and your physician about every medication and therapy you take. This includes over-the-counter medicine, antihistamine, health care vitamins, and things like bath salts.

Amitriptyline and Mental Health

Amitriptyline helps with mental health problems such as:

  • Depression
  • Stress
  • Panic attack
  • Sleep issues
  • Pain from diseases like migraine or asthma-related pain

It can be part of mental health treatment and addiction programs when planned by a physician.

Can Amitriptyline Affect the Nervous System?

Yes. Amitriptyline works on the central nervous system. It changes reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.

This helps improve mood, sleep, and reduce headache and pain. It can also help people who have a bipolar disorder or who are in therapy.

Tips to Avoid Problems with Drug Tests

  • Tell your doctor about all drugs you take.
  • Share a list of prescription and controlled substance drugs.
  • If there is a problem, ask for gas chromatography confirmation.
  • Never stop taking your medicine without talking to your physician.

Can Other Drugs Cause Similar Problems?

Yes. Other drugs like efavirenz, selegiline, aripiprazole, carbamazepine, escitalopram, or rifampicin can cause false positives.

Risks of Stopping Amitriptyline

Do not stop taking amitriptyline without help. It can cause:

  • Sleep problems
  • Panic attack
  • More anxiety
  • Problems with mental health

Always talk with your doctor.

Amitriptyline pills

FAQs

Will amitriptyline make me fail a drug test?

It can sometimes make a false positive. If you tell the lab you are taking it, they can do better tests.

How long does amitriptyline stay in your urine?

It can show up in urine for days. Metabolism and ph (acid level) in your body can change how long it stays.

Can amitriptyline be found in saliva tests?

Yes, but most saliva tests are less common. Urine tests are more common.

Does amitriptyline look like an opioid?

No. It may look like PCP or methadone, but not an opiate like morphine or oxycodone.

Can other antidepressants also affect drug tests?

Yes. Sertraline, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, and others can confuse the test too.

Sources

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Medically Reviewed By Zachary Steel

Zach Steel is a diagnostics entrepreneur focused on making testing faster, more accessible, and actionable.

Written By Kristina Westerdahl

With a background in cellular molecular biology and law, Kristina’s expertise bridges science and advocacy.

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