Will Lidocaine make me fail a UA at MEPS? If so, if I have the proper documentation from the dentist, will I be good to go?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 11:24:21 -0400

Hey guys hope someone answers this and fast! So I went to the dentist as I felt my tooth decaying and I needed a crown and some cavities filled. Well I got the crown being finished a week before I ship out for Basic and I asked the dental office what they use as a numbing agent its Lidocaine.
Talked to my recruiter as Im getting mixed messages if it will test positive for anything. My dentist is providing me documentation which I will be giving to the recruiting office and I will be bringing with me in case something happens. I don't do anything and I just don't want anything like this causing me problems.
If anyone can provide me information on this Id greatly appreciate it.
Will this Lidocaine make me fail a UA? And if so if I have the proper documentation from the dentist will i be good to go?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2020 11:29 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 11:29:52 -0400

The testing limits are intentionally set high enough that stuff that like won't cause you to piss hot. You'd have to get shot up with enough lidocaine to kill a horse the day before the piss test before you'd test positive. That's why everyone laughs at the BS excuses some people try to use to explain why they pissed hot. You are not going to test positive if you were riding in a car with people smoking weed. You are not going to test positive if someone gave you a drink laced with CBD oil. You could smoke crack on Wednesday and piss clean on Saturday. Unless you are a habitual user, you could smoke weed and piss clean 15 days later. And, in all likelihood, they are not going to test for lidocaine anyway. I had shoulder surgery and was on heavy duty narcotic pain pills for two weeks and pissed clean at drill the next month.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2020 11:31 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 11:31:06 -0400

Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that is typically applied to the surface of your skin or gums and only last 2.5 to 3.5 hours in the body. I would not imagine it would have any effects on your ship out date. Nor will it show up as anything positive in your piss test. You can buy over the counter drugs and creams that have this medication in them. You should be good to go. However, Dental work after MEPS should be documented, so still bring what your dentist gives you in that regards. Best of luck!

Response by SSG Watis Ekthuvapranee made Jul 31 at 2020 11:33 AM

SSG Watis Ekthuvapranee — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 11:33:15 -0400

Lidocaine is not narcotic and a doctor note is good enough. Lidocaine is a numbing gel. The VA gives out for veterans to numb the aches and pains. You are A-O-TAY.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2020 11:40 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 11:40:22 -0400

Thanks for such a fast response its giving me some relief as I was freaking out last night!

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jul 31 at 2020 11:52 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 11:52:14 -0400

Lidocaine is a topical anesthetic. You can buy similar products over the counter to numb sensitive teeth.
I don’t feel (of course, am not a doctor) that this will be any issue. Especially if you bring in paperwork.
UAs are for finding illegal drug use

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jul 31 at 2020 12:25 PM

SSG Brian G. — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 12:25:29 -0400

Ok, straight off... relax. Just bring the prescription/doctors orders with you.

The way a piss test works is they bring you in and you do the deed, it goes off to be tested and they test for a wide variety of substances. IF you come up up for one, then you still have options... you can get a blood/hair fiber test done. Also if you are on a medication that would cause a positive, they allow for that... you just have to show the valid prescription for it.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 31 at 2020 1:54 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 13:54:00 -0400

No.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2020 3:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:14:21 -0400

Lidocaine won’t have any bearing on a UA. I wouldn’t worry about it. Even if by some odd chance that it does flag, you have the documentation to support you. But again...it’s just Lidocaine.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 31 at 2020 4:35 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 16:35:03 -0400

Lidocaine is not a narcotic. Lidocaine is rapidly processed by the liver and excreted through the kidneys. The half-life of lidocaine is 1.5 to 2 hours. (Look it up on drugs.com) The standard piss test probably doesn't look for lidocaine. Stay away from illicit drugs and you'll be okay!