A comprehensive literature search did not identify any reports of trazodone causing false-positive results for benzodiazepines on urine drug screens (UDS). Overall, evidence evaluating trazodone-related false positives for drugs of abuse is limited. Trazodone has been associated with false-positive results for amphetamines, methamphetamine, and MDMA, due to its metabolite meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP), which can cross-react with certain immunoassays. There are also isolated reports of f...
Across several reviews, trazodone has been reported as a potential cause of false-positive results on urine drug screening (UDS) immunoassays, although the occurrence appears inconsistent and assay-dependent. False positives in immunoassays generally occur when medications or their metabolites share structural similarities with the target drug, leading to cross-reactivity; however, the specific cause of many false-positive results remains unknown. Multiple reviews have identified trazodone as a potential cross-reacting agent with amphetamine or methamphetamine assays, including reports of isolated false-positive amphetamine results. Additional reports describe cross-reactivity with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) assays, and trazodone has also been cited as a potential interferent in LSD immunoassays. Notably, documented cross-reactivity appears to occur specifically with amphetamine and MDMA immunoassays due to trazodone’s metabolite meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP), w...
READ MORE→
A search of the published medical literature revealed
0 studies investigating the researchable question:
Can trazodone cause a false positive for benzodiazepines on a urine drug toxicity panel? Are there any medications that could result in a false benzodiazepine positive?
Level of evidence
C - Multiple studies with limitations or conflicting results
READ MORE→
[1] Saitman A, Fitzgerald RL, Lund K, Suhandynata RT, Menlyadiev M. Review: False Positive Urine Drug Screens. J Anal Toxicol. Published online February 4, 2026. doi:10.1093/jat/bkag007
[2] Schwebach A, Ball J. Urine Drug Screening: Minimizing False-Positives and False-Negatives to Optimize Patient Care. US Pharm. 2016;41(8):26-30.
[3] Saitman A, Park HD, Fitzgerald RL. False-positive interferences of common urine drug screen immunoassays: a review. J Anal Toxicol. 2014;38(7):387-396. doi:10.1093/jat/bku075
[4] Brahm NC, Yeager LL, Fox MD, Farmer KC, Palmer TA. Commonly prescribed medications and potential false-positive urine drug screens. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010;67(16):1344-1350. doi:10.2146/ajhp090477
[5] Moeller KE, Kissack JC, Atayee RS, Lee KC. Clinical Interpretation of Urine Drug Tests: What Clinicians Need to Know About Urine Drug Screens. Mayo Clin Proc. 2017;92(5):774-796. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.12.007
[6] Kale N. Urine Drug Tests: Ordering and Interpreting Results. Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(1):33-39.
[7] Nasky KM, Cowan GL, Knittel DR. False-Positive Urine Screening for Benzodiazepines: An Association with Sertraline?: A Two-year Retrospective Chart Analysis. Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2009;6(7):36-39.