Does Intake Of Albuterol Nebulizer Result In Positive ETG Test?

Posted on Tue, 19 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 19 Jan 2016 Answered on

Wed, 24 Feb 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Can using my albuterol nebulizer cause a positive ETG?
I was sick with a bad cold and breathing. I used my nebulizer 2 to 3 times a day and took Nyquil, cough syrup and cold tablets just to gain comfort.
I tested positive on an alcohol test for etg with high levels.
Is this possible?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Very unlikley!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this positive ETG test. Albuterol nebulizer cannot explain this. There are low levels of alcohol in syrups but so small that they cannot explain positive ETG with high levels. If you haven't taken alcohol in a while, please request that this test be repeated. Between, what was the reason for requesting that you do this this?

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Above all, thanks for using our services.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

I don't understand the positive. I was sick all weekend. Taking cold tablets, cough medicine and using my breathing machine. The only other thing that I can remember having is dark chocolate covered espresso coffee beans while trying to complete homework.
Is it possible that the combination of meds created high Nano genes?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Am not sure of the high nano genes!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

1. I will like to know why this test was specifically done. Do you ahve any alcohol problems or why out of the blues was this test done?

2. It is the first time I will hear these products can actually lead to a strongly positive test. Please, this is not possible. I am not sure of any nanogenes with this as well.

I wish you well. Let me know what your immediate thoughts are.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (14 minutes later)

This is my last month on probation for DWI. I have been taking weekly random urine tests. I have followed the specifics of the program. The days leading up to this test I was in bed sick having trouble breathing. I did not consume any alcohol so I'm trying to find out if other things could have caused the positive.

The nano genes I may have misunderstood the name the "tester' said to me while trying to explain the levels of chemicals in the ETG test which make it only a positive for alcohol.

The only other thing I had was chocolate covered espresso coffee beans that I eat for energy and focus. The ingredients say chocolate liquor - is this possibly the culprit?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not chocolate liquor!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

It is so difficult to understand what went wrong. But for minor alcohols in syrups, there is no other cause that I can suspect in your case. I will suggest you get this test repeated and make it clear to the officers that you are not convinced about the test result.

Keep me posted on this.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar