A Case of Esmolol-Induced False-Positive Amphetamine Urine Drug Test

Abstract

False-positive urine drug screens can occur and lead to implicit bias. Confirmatory testing with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry can be performed. A morbidly obese patient with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation spent multiple days in the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) due to a false-positive test for methamphetamine. The patient was planned to undergo direct cardioversion with conscious-sedation anesthesia. His care was delayed because anesthesia was not comfortable administering sedatives in the setting of a positive urine drug screen for presumed methamphetamine use. Knowing that esmolol can cause a false positive on urine drug screen is imperative for delivering the best patient-centered care.

Keywords: amphetamines; atrial fibrillation; beta-blockers; esmolol; false positive.