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Does Promethazine-codeine Interfere In Drug Test Result?

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Posted on Mon, 26 May 2014
Question: Have a pain management contract with doctor for 4 hydrocodone 5/325/day. Last two days took one dose of promethazine-codeine cough syrup for a cough keeping my husband and I up. Did not doctor shop - it's an old prescription and I can provide the bottle if needed. Will this screw up a drug test (urine) done Wednesday or Thursday if I am randomly chosen to test? Have never had a problem before and do not want to have the contract be in question.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Need more details

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

What was the strength of promethazine-codeine syrup you have taken ?
Did you take it once a day for two days ?
How many days it would be from the day you have taken the dose to the test day ?

Waiting for your response,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (2 hours later)
Strength of the cough syrup is unknown. The bottle states: 120 Promethazine-Codeine Syrup with directions to take 1 tsp.to 2 tsp. by mouth every 6 hours as needed for cough. Other than 0 refills and the name of the doctor, there is no more information on the bottle except for the date/pharmacy name. Took it Sunday night and Monday morning. (1 tsp.) each time. The random drug test, if I am "chosen", would be Wednesday afternoon or possibly Thursday afternoon at the latest.To be quite honest, I did not know/or even think about the codeine. We had company which brought their cat, and I am very allergic to cats. It caused wheezing, itchy throat, and ultimately a terribly upset stomach due to the Benadryl I tried first - the promethazine was what I "wanted" to settle my stomach - which it did. According to my daughter, who is a pharmacist, something metabolizes differently than the hydrocodone and she suggested I contact my doctor to let him know I had taken the cough syrup. I did that this afternoon, but did not hear back. Do pain management doctors not let their patients take leftover cough syrup (which I was told to do when I received the prescription initially)? I believe I have used it twice before, both times during sinus problems.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (2 days later)
Brief Answer:
Need not worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

Sorry for the delay in my response,

Two teaspoons of cough syrup containing Codeine Phosphate, whose usually dosage is around 10mg per 5 ml would not be risky or intervene the test you may undergo.

Need not worry, codeine phosphate gets metabolized soon leaving no metabolites which may lead the test to pick up.

Relax,

Wish you good health.
Regards,
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 4933 Questions

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Does Promethazine-codeine Interfere In Drug Test Result?

Brief Answer: Need more details Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for your query. What was the strength of promethazine-codeine syrup you have taken ? Did you take it once a day for two days ? How many days it would be from the day you have taken the dose to the test day ? Waiting for your response,