Blood Alcohol

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Rubbing alcohol was used to clean the skin before inserting a needle to draw blood.
• You have high blood ketones, as in diabetic ketoacidosis.
• Taking cough medicines or herbal supplements that contain alcohol, such as kava or ginseng.
• Drinking other alcohols, such as isopropyl alcohol or methanol.

Many medicines may change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the nonprescription and prescription medicines you take.

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Author:	Jeannette Curtis	Last Updated: May 9, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology
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