Medication and DOT

Okay, got a hypothetical question. I have a prescription for pain that would for the sake of arguement put me out of service should I take it. But I still have it in the truck because hey, if I need it I NEED it! If I were in extreme pain I could call dispatch and tell them I'm going out of service for medical reasons, secure my rig, then pop some pills and seek medical attention, or at a minimum sit in a motel and hope it passes. So my question is: If I were to be inspected and the DOT officer finds the prescription bottle full of serious pain pills, am I in violation for simply possessing them? ...Or might I be asked to give a urin sample for what would seem to be probable cause? This seems unlikely because I'd have to be put out of service pending the test results.

Also, If any one can direct me to this list of "banned" drugs for DOT drivers, I would really like to see it.

Thanks!

 

The mere presence of the drug is sufficient for issuance of an out of service order because the intent was that you had them in case you needed to take them. If you were hurting than much you shouldn't have been in the truck. Look at the SAFER website and see how many drivers are placed OOS for drug possession. This is not just for illegal drugs, but rather, the majority of the OOS here is because of prescription drugs in the truck that shouldn't be.

 

You've made it clear. I understand it would be practically impossible to determine if a driver was or was not actually under the influence of a mind altering prescription drug once said drug was found in the cab. So to be safe, DOT says can't even keep it in the truck. After all, there's nothing preventing a driver from carrying a written/unfilled prescription...

Sorry, just the devil's advocate... and thanks for the explaination.

 

If you're seeking a list of disqualifying drugs while in the truck; it's not in the DOT rules. The list should be listed by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) or some such entity. What it is is all of the schedule II drugs. You could probably do a web search for schedule II drugs & you should be able to receive it as well.

The schedule 1 drugs are also banned and are mostly covered in the part 40 rules.

 

I see a lot of posts here about vicodin, Oxycodone, etc. - But what about anti-anxiety meds? I've been on Klonopin for quite a few years now, due to social anxiety disorder. I talked to a school recruiter today, not a company recruiter, and he made the statement 'That drug is on the DOT list as unacceptable." - Oookay, so, how is it 'on the list', if there is NO list? I think I got an idiot.. Or at the very least someone who's making guesses.

The last time I spoke with a trucking company on this subject, I was told that if your Dr. knows you're on it, as well as how long you've been on it, and says it does not in any way effect your driving ability (When taken properly, of course), then the company will respect this, and it becomes a non issue.. Unless you do something stupid like eat half the bottle. (Yes, respect and company typically don't belong in the same sentence, but it was the only way I could think to word it.

Does it depend on State? Company? Is there any site I can reference to get a good idea of what's what (I saw someone post numbers from what I assume is a list, but in not having the link, those numbers aren't terribly useful to me), aside from speaking directly to a company recruiter (Which I will if I have to, but would like to have some info beforehand at least), that will let me know what is, and is not acceptable medication for lifelong conditions?

The school recruiter stated that I could speak with my Dr., and get transferred to another medication, but he obviously doesn't quite understand just how difficult that can be, especially after that many years. It took many, many tries with various medications to find one that worked properly in the first place, and I have to say I don't like the idea of being told I can't drive a truck because I'm taking care of a medical condition, especially when the medication being used doesn't effect my driving.

Any input, links, or suggestions on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

 

RJ,

There is a list and one of the medications and one that can be taken is effexor XR. There are 10 that can not be taken and unfortunately one of them is yours. Now do not give up because the recruiter said you are no go for now. The medication I just listed can be taken while driving providing you take it prior to each driving shift. You will get your 2yr DOT physical with this as I know several people who take this and have got that length providing the medical history is good. Good luck and pm me if you need any help.

KH

 

I'll keep this brief, because I just got home from work and am exhausted.

It's being said that there's a list saying what is, and is not acceptable.. Could I get a link to this list? Sadly, Effexor is not something that works for my anxiety at all, so I need to look at what other medications are allowed, to see if any that worked even somewhat, are on there.

Thanks for the info, though it sucks quite a bit to know that what works for me, what I'm safest on, is not allowed.. Probably because something someone did in the past. Similar reasoning to the warnings on hairspray like 'Do not spray directly into your eyes' - Or "Warning: HOT", On Coffee. Wouldn't be there if someone hadn't done it, which really makes me wonder about some people...

 

RJ,

E-mail the DOT or call a couple of trucking schools and see if they have the list. Best of luck and keep us posted on what information you find out.

KH

 

This drug has precautions about driving when you google it.

I would suspect that companies would not be willing to have you on this medication.

 

No offense (And I do mean that wholeheartedly), but what medications -do not- have warnings about them, in one way, shape or form?

If you look up say.. Ibuprofen, there are warnings. Some over the counter medicines can even cause random seizures, and that, to me, seems a lot more unsafe than say.. a medication sometimes used to keep seizures from happening, that a person is completely used to, but I don't get to make up the rules, bend, or break them without putting myself at serious risk for getting screwed. (And no, the anti-seizure aspect of klonopin does not apply to me, I'm just saying it's sometimes used for it. In my case it's just for anxiety)

But that's not really the point, if the DOT considers it an unacceptable medication. I see my Dr. soon, and will talk to him about what I WILL be able to take in its place, that DOT will allow, and if I can't find anything on that list that works, then, well.. I'll start weaning myself off, and find some other method of keeping anxiety under control. I only ended up on this when life got particularly rough.. I won't get into it, because that would take forever, but if I managed without it before, I imagine given a bit of time, I could do it again. My anxiety seems to be triggered by the 'I'm almost 30 and have gone NOWHERE' factor, partially. Having thought about it, it hasn't been as bad since I started taking care of myself, being responsible for others, etc., because I actually feel like I have a chance of going somewhere in life.

Six years of soul searching, researching, weighing pro's and con's.. Trucking is what I want to do with my life, and I'm willing to do anything and everything it takes to make that happen.

The thought that I may not be able to function off of meds, and therefor be unable to truck scares the h#$% out of me, since I'm not about to drive a truck if I'm a paranoid wreck, that would just be stupid... But I'll hope for the best, and do whatever I can to make it happen, with safety in mind.

Again, thanks for the input, and I will be sure to share any information I can get a hold of.