Effect of CONCERTA on Drug Screening

Summary

• A literature search of MEDLINE^® and other sources did not identify any citations pertaining to the effect of CONCERTA tablets on urine drug screening results.
• In an in vitro study, an assay for presence of amphetamine (AMPH) was positive for a urine sample containing a test solution of 200 µm/mL of methylphenidate (MPH).¹
• It is recommended to contact the laboratory conducting the test to determine specifics about the screening and to disclose all medications being taken prior to a drug screen.

BACKGROUND

Many variables exist between and within laboratories and manufactured urine drug tests. These can include differences in cut-off concentrations, as well as values that are specific to the substance being tested, the biological specimen, and the testing device. Furthermore, clinical laboratories can set their own limits of detection. Therefore, inquiries related to specific test methods and results should be directed to the laboratory that conducted the analysis and/or manufacturer of the commercial testing kit used.²

CLINICAL DATA

Letter to the editor

Manzi et al (2002)¹ described an in vitro study conducted to investigate if MPH could produce a false-positive AMPH urine screen. The study showed that when a 200 µm/mL MPH test solution was added to a urine sample, the assay for presence of AMPH was positive. However, when the same procedure was followed using a 100 µm/mL test solution, the assay was negative. The investigators suggested that the presence of a phenylethyl group within the ritalinic acid structure may be the cause for the cross-reactivity with AMPH in the assay.

LITERATURE SEARCH

A literature search of MEDLINE^®, Embase^®, BIOSIS Previews^®, and Derwent Drug File (and/or other resources, including internal/external databases) pertaining to this topic was conducted on 03 February 2025.