Can a UTI Affect a Drug Test?

Yes, a urinary tract infection (UTI) can potentially affect drug test results. UTIs may change the chemical balance or pH of urine, which can sometimes interfere with testing accuracy and, in rare cases, lead to false positives.

Many people take drug tests for employment, athletics, rehab, probation, or legal reasons, where even a small testing error can have serious consequences. False positives can result from foods, supplements, medications, or medical conditions—including UTIs.

If you have a UTI or take antibiotics or other treatments, inform the testing provider beforehand so your results can be interpreted accurately.

What Is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial infection of the urinary system, which includes the urethra, bladder, and kidneys. Each year, UTIs affect around 150 million people worldwide. While anyone can develop a UTI, women are significantly more likely to experience them due to their shorter urethras. It's estimated that 40% of all women will have a urinary tract infection at some point in their lives, compared with only 12% of men who will contract one.

Symptoms of a UTI

Signs that you may have a UTI can include:

• A frequent and strong urge to urinate

• Pain or burning during urination (dysuria)

• Cloudy or dark urine

• A strong, unpleasant odor from the urine

• Pelvic pain or pressure (in women)

A UTI can also cause a fever or chills if bacteria travel up the urinary tract to the kidneys, potentially leading to a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). It's important to seek proper treatment and medication as soon as you suspect a urinary tract infection to prevent complications.

How Are UTIs Treated?

UTIs are an unpleasant reality for many people, and it can be helpful to recognize the signs when one strikes. But when it comes to UTIs and drug testing, the more relevant question is how these infections are treated, as the medication is the primary source of interference.

UTIs are generally treated with prescription antibiotics that are taken orally. Common antibiotics and antimicrobial agents used to treat UTIs include:

• sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim)

• amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin)

• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

• nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin)

• levofloxacin (Levaquin)

You may also hear that cranberry juice can help with UTIs. While it may reduce the risk of future infections by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, it does not treat an active infection and shouldn’t replace prescribed antibiotics.

Can UTI Treatments Affect Drug Testing?

When you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), the infection itself can cause changes in your urine composition, such as an increase in white blood cells and bacteria, which might interfere with the initial drug screening process.

However, the primary concern is the potential for the medications used to treat UTIs to cause false-positive results. This happens because the molecular structure of certain prescription drugs can be chemically similar to that of illicit substances, confusing the initial immunoassay screening (the quick test).

Here are specific examples of common UTI medications known to cause cross-reactivity:

• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro): This widely prescribed fluoroquinolone antibiotic has been known to cause false positive results for opiates (such as morphine or heroin).

• Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim): This combination antibiotic is often linked to false positive results for amphetamines or methamphetamine due to chemical similarities.

It’s also worth noting that some people use over-the-counter (OTC) products such as phenazopyridine (e.g., Azo) to relieve UTI discomfort. These products can turn urine bright orange or red, which might raise suspicion during testing if not explained beforehand.

What to Do If You Get Tested While Treating a UTI

If you get tested while taking antibiotics or other medications for an infection, it’s crucial to be proactive to prevent the consequences of a false positive:

• Disclose Medication Upfront: Before the screening, it’s essential to disclose all medications you are taking, including prescription antibiotics for a UTI and any over-the-counter symptom-relief drugs. Provide the technician with the name of the drug and the prescribing physician.

• Provide Documentation: In fact, it’s generally recommended that you share any pertinent medical history, current prescriptions, or even high-dose vitamin supplements that could impact the chemistry of your urine. When in doubt, it's better to overshare upfront than to be left trying to explain away a false positive after the fact.

What to Do If You Receive a False Positive Drug Test

No matter the cause of your false positive drug test, it can be a stressful experience. If you believe that something has gone wrong with your test results, there are steps you can take to protect yourself:

• Request a Retest: If the cause of your false positive is no longer likely to be in your system, you may be able to request a simple repeat of your initial drug screening.

• Present Physician Documentation: If you're taking a necessary prescription that caused the false positive, present your test administrator with a note from your primary care physician explaining the presence of the drug in your system. This is a common and usually sufficient remedy.

• Request a Confirmatory Test (GC/MS): If necessary, you can request a confirmatory test, also known as a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) test. This is the gold standard of drug testing. Unlike the initial screening, the GC/MS test separates the sample into its individual components and identifies the molecular structure of each compound. This definitely rules out a false positive by identifying the true substance instead of the chemically similar illicit drug.

Get Ahead of Your Results with Countrywide Testing

If you’re concerned that UTI treatment or other medications might affect your drug test results, Countrywide Testing can help you find clear answers. Our accurate, FDA-approved at-home drug tests let you check for potential false positives caused by prescriptions, supplements, or recreational substances before a required screening.

With fast, discreet, and easy-to-understand results, Countrywide Testing helps you stay informed and prepared for any mandated drug test. Explore our full range of testing options to find the solution that fits your needs.