What medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test?

Medically reviewed by Sally Chao, MD. Last updated on March 5, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Some medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test result.

Home pregnancy tests measure levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in urine. Taking any medication that contains hCG can cause a false-positive result.

Drugs that contain the hCG hormone aimed at boosting fertility may impact pregnancy test results. These may include:

Other drugs that may cause a false positive pregnancy test include:

Antipsychotics often used to treat schizophrenia, such as perphenazine, prochlorperazine, chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, thioridazine and thiothixene
The anti-seizure/anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine used for epilepsy, facial nerve pain and bipolar disorder
Progestin-only birth control pills, including:
- Camila
- Errin
- Heather
- Incassia
- Jencycla
- Jolivette
- Micronor
- Nor-Q.D.
- Ovrette
Anti-nausea drugs, including prochlorperazine, perphenazine, chlorpromazine and promethazine
Sedatives that are used before and after surgery or during labor, such as promethazine
Antihistamines such as promethazine
Anti-anxiety medications such as prochlorperazine and trifluoperazine

Importantly, most medicines will not affect the results of a home pregnancy test. Alcohol and illicit drugs also don’t affect pregnancy test results.

Other factors that can cause inaccurate results on pregnancy tests may include:

Incorrect use of the test
Testing too early
Use of an expired test
Certain cancers
Early miscarriage

References

American Pregnancy Association. Fertility Medications. Available at: https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/fertility-medications/. [Accessed February 12, 2022].
U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Perphenazine. February 15, 2018. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682165.html. [Accessed February 12, 2022].
U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Prochlorperazine. February 15, 2018. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682116.html. [Accessed February 12, 2022].
U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Chlorpromazine. July 15, 2017. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682040.html. [Accessed February 12, 2022].
U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Trifluoperazine. July 15, 2017. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682121.html. [Accessed February 12, 2022].
U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Thioridazine. May 15, 2017. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682119.html. [Accessed February 12, 2022].
U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Thiothixene. July 15, 2017. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682867.html. [Accessed February 12, 2022].
U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Carbamazepine. May 15, 2020. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682237.html. [Accessed February 12, 2022].
U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Progestin-Only (norethindrone) Oral Contraceptives. March 15, 2021. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003432.htm. [Accessed February 12, 2022].
U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Promethazine. June 15, 2017. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682284.html. [Accessed February 12, 2022].
Office on Women’s Health. Pregnancy Tests. January 31, 2019. Available at: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/pregnancy-tests. [Accessed February 12, 2022].

What medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test?

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