SEROQUEL and driving Trucks

OP, the best way to find out is to go through everything and find out yourself.

 

As I stated in post #13 I have no experience with this medication. I did ask someone I know about it. I won't say most in regard to not hiring a driver. What I am hearing coming from people that make hiring decisions is they want to see control and stability over at least 6 months. This is how the FMCSA is with anti-diabetic medications like metformin. They are OK with a driver using them provided they have their diabetes under control. This is why anyone on these medications should get the prescribing physician to closely monitor them and certify they are stable. Just about every carrier I know of will defer hiring decisions to their company ME. However, @REO6205 is right, some of the better carriers that can be selective won't hire you. FACT!!!!

 

If You Take These Medications, You Might Not Get A CDL

 

I think it is important to remember the DOT by rule only prohibit the substances in the table below--


---then they prohibit ANY substance used to control seizures. They grant an exception for drugs like Hydrocodone provided an ME approves its use AND you have a valid prescription. EVERYTHING else is up to the ME and the carriers. What the FMCSA will do is publish guidance contained in the FMCSA ME Handbook on how they recommend handling these substances. Over the last few years, the DOT/FMCSA has stopped being so top-heavy and has put the emphasis on the MEs when it comes to marginal issues like these. I am 100% with @REO6205 on this subject in regard to getting hired.

On a personal note, if I was making hiring decisions and had to luxury to be selective I would NOT hire anyone taking medications like antidepressants etc. The sad thing is most carriers have to have these tractors on the road because a sitting tractor costs them MAJOR $$$$$. They do the best they can to cull the dangerous drivers. It is what it is. I might also add it's dangerous for ANYBODY to operate a motor vehicle even a small Honda when half out of their minds. I for one can't drive because I have seizures. I was told to not even pull a George Jones on the road.

 

No ... very good advice.
We don’t need more mommy’s , daddy’s and more government in our lives.

 

It's actually bad advice, and here's why! I know this is repeated in these forums ad nauseam but it is true. If you are taking these medications and involved in a serious accident, an Attorney is going to have a field day with you once they get discovery. If the case went to trial how would you answer this question? "Why did you keep this information from the Medical Examiner and your company". If you don't know it yet, some of these Attorneys know 49CFR 300 series rules better than almost anybody in these forums.

 

You do as you wish. Long Form is a FEDERAL FORM. Just because the Government lies to you daily, doesn't mean you should. They get away with it, you or I won't.

 

I will also add this. Like it or not.......ALL of your MEDICAL RECORDS are online, including prescriptions. We live in an Information Age....like it or not. DOT Medical Examiners are not stupid people, nor are the "Medical critters" (stole the critters part from Moose) at Trucking Companies. If you lie on your Long Form you will get caught eventually.

 

I would think if you got a DOT physical and listed that medication you would be fine. As far as getting enough sleep you are ultimately the one in control with that. As an owner operator I’m not going to lease on with any company that let me be my own boss. Good luck I hope this helps.

 

I left a message for a safety critter I know about this medication. He finally got back to me this morning. He said he had no problem with putting a driver on the road that was taking Seroquel. I also took some time and did a search and came upon this website. This website is the results of a survey of medical examiners when asked about different medications.


From this, I can see the FMCSA has no issues with it and an ME in most cases will clear you to drive. I would advise anyone taking this medication to be open about it and use it as directed.