Breathalyser beeps if you consume homeo medicine, cough syrup: Doctor gives reasons, tips to prevent it

A routine breathalyser test had wrongly identified a KSRTC driver, who is a teetotaller, recently, as being under the influence of alcohol. After the KSRTC authorities barred him from duty, the driver, who had taken homeopathic medicine for a cough, was determined to prove his innocence. This incident has ignited a serious debate in the health sector and among the drivers. 'Will the breathalyser show a false positive if the test is taken after consuming homeopathic medicine? Even if someone is actually drunk, can they get away with lying that they have taken homeopathic medicine?' – These are the two major questions that need answering.

KSRTC driver Shideesh, who operates the bus service in the Kozhikode–Manathavadi route of Kerala, was asked to stay off duty after he ‘failed’ in the breathalyser test. Although Shideesh pleaded with the authorities that he has never had alcohol in his life and had just taken homeopathic medicine for cough, they didn’t budge. So, Shideesh appeared in front of KSRTC’s managing director to take the test after having the same medicine and prove his innocence.

When he took the test before taking the medicine, the machine showed the reading as zero. But the test was positive after he took the homeopathic medicine. Convinced of his innocence, the KSRTC authorities let Shideesh off. Recently, the Railways, too, took action against a loco pilot in a similar incident.

KSRTC's new guideline
KSRTC has now introduced a new guideline for the mandatory breathalyser test for drivers. If the driver informs that he has consumed any medicine, the test should be taken again after 20 minutes. If this test shows a negative reading, he could report for duty. However, if he gets a positive reading in the second test, too, then the driver would be barred from duty.

How does a breathalyser machine show a false positive?
Alcohol is added in homeopathic medicine to maintain its liquid nature and to ensure its quality. So, if someone takes a breathalyser test immediately after taking the medicine, then the reading could be shown as positive.
Breathalyser
When a person blows into the breathalyser, the equipment recognises the ethanol. If you take the test immediately after consuming homeopathic medicine, the machine will detect the presence of alcohol in the breath. Dental cleansers, mouth washes, and homeopathic sprays also contain alcohol, which could all show false positives in the breathalyser test.

Take precautions
Alcohol is added as a stabilizer in allopathic cough syrups and ayurvedic arishtam (medicinal concoction). Experts say one shouldn’t take a breathalyser test immediately after consuming homeopathic medicines, cough syrups or certain medicines. Drink water after taking the medicine and rinse your mouth well. In case you fail the breathalyser test, ask for a blood test. A blood test wouldn’t show traces of alcohol if you have had these medicines.
Information courtesy: Dr. M Muhammad Aslam, General Secretary, IHK, The Indian Institute of Homeopaths Kerala.