Questions about returning to Work.

I think Vicodin will stop you. My company told me any type pain killer we can't drive.

 

I'm pretty sure Vicodin is one of the no-no medications for driving. Isn't one of the possible side effects drowsiness?

 

Vicodin contains a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. Hydrocodone is in a group of drugs called opioid pain relievers. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.

Hydrocodone is a Schedule II substance according to this:

21 CFR § 1308.12 Schedule II.

(a) Schedule II shall consist of the
drugs and other substances, by whatever
official name, common or usual
name, chemical name, or brand name
designated, listed in this section. Each
drug or substance has been assigned
the Controlled Substances Code Number
set forth opposite it.
(b) Substances, vegetable origin or
chemical synthesis. Unless specifically
excepted or unless listed in another
schedule, any of the following substances
whether produced directly or
indirectly by extraction from substances
of vegetable origin, or independently
by means of chemical synthesis,
or by a combination of extraction
and chemical synthesis:
(1) Opium and opiate, and any salt,
compound, derivative, or preparation
of opium or opiate excluding
apomorphine, thebaine-derived
butorphanol, dextrorphan, nalbuphine,
nalmefene, naloxone, and naltrexone,
and their respective salts, but including
the following:
(i) Codeine ..................................................................... 9050
(ii) Dihydroetorphine ...................................................... 9334
(iii) Ethylmorphine .......................................................... 9190
(iv) Etorphine hydrochloride ........................................... 9059
(v) Granulated opium ..................................................... 9640
(vi) Hydrocodone ........................................................... 9193
(vii) Hydromorphone ...................................................... 9150

-----------------

Under FMSCA regulations, it says this (I put highlights in bold ):

Subpart B - Prohibitions

FMSCA § 382.213

Controlled substances use.(a) No driver shall report for duty or remain on duty requiring the performance of safety sensitive functions when the driver uses any drug or substance identified in 21 CFR 1308.11 Schedule I.
(b) No driver shall report for duty or remain on duty requiring the performance of safety-sensitive functions when the driver uses any non-Schedule I drug or substance that is identified in the other Schedules in 21 CFR part 1308 except when the use is pursuant to the instructions of a licensed medical practitioner, as defined in §382.107, who is familiar with the driver's medical history and has advised the driver that the substance will not adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.
(c) No employer having actual knowledge that a driver has used a controlled substance shall permit the driver to perform or continue to perform a safety-sensitive function.
(d) An employer may require a driver to inform the employer of any therapeutic drug use.

 

I think this might help....

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=392.4

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=392.4

 

And let's not forget company policies involving various medications...those can also throw a spanner in the works for prospective new employees.....