Help! The Peruvians put coca in everything.

[Mad Doggy Dog]

I just arrived in Peru for a week vacation.

I've been informed that the Peruvians put coca in many of their food dishes and drinks.

For instance, there is coca tea here used for treating altitude sickness. They also put coca in their chocolate.

I've been told consuming coca plant could cause a false positive for cocaine use should I get a DOT drug test at my airline.

1. Is this true?

2. If I accidentally consume coca, how long is it detectable in my system?

3. If I had a false positive, what happens then?


Thanks Doc...

 

[My Flight Surgeon]

I believe that is true.
It will stick around for several days
If it happens, you are in trouble. Be careful what you eat.

 

[NickH]

Since the doc has answered the medical part, can I make a suggestion? As well as being very careful what you eat, give your chief pilot a call before you leave and make sure he knows about your situation in advance. I'm sure you'll be fine, but letting the boss know in advance is better than trying to make excuses for a failed test!

More importantly, Pisco Sour's are awesome!

 

[staplegun]

I just arrived in Peru for a week vacation.

I've been informed that the Peruvians put coca in many of their food dishes and drinks.

For instance, there is coca tea here used for treating altitude sickness. They also put coca in their chocolate.

I've been told consuming coca plant could cause a false positive for cocaine use should I get a DOT drug test at my airline.

1. Is this true?

2. If I accidentally consume coca, how long is it detectable in my system?

3. If I had a false positive, what happens then?


Thanks Doc...

We went to Peru to see Machu Pichu and hike the Inca trail 12 years ago.

I had some of the "coca" tea in Cuzco but I don't think I ingested anything else...

I was aware of the "coca" conundrum, but I didn't have any problems and have passed multiple "random" urinalysis tests since.

FWIW, YMMV!

Kevin

 

[L B Fowler Jr MD]

be sure to PERUse in Peru!