Medications

If you get a doctor to ok it. But really you should stay away from it. I'm serious as a heart attack, do not use it,. Find something else that does not knock you out so bad. You might have to be awoken for an emergency and find yourself 200 miles in a place you have no idea how you got there. I've used both Ambien and OTC PM's since I've retired and PM's work just as good with me.

 

Ambien is one trade name for Zolpidem and no it's not on the disqualifying list.

Here's the list
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2011-title21-vol9/pdf/CFR-2011-title21-vol9-sec1308-11.pdf

The medical form will ask if you have any daytime sleepiness. People can have certain medical conditions corrected by medications or other treatments. You might need proof such as a letter from the prescribing doctor that says you are safe to drive.

You will be tired working 14 hours a day I doubt you'll need sleep aides. If you really need it then there might be an underlying issue. They are treating a symptom and not the cause. Trucking is one job you can't over sleep and be late.

Ambien is not identified in 21 part 1308 so I doubt anything would be said by the physician. He might ask you "why"?

 

Sounds like he didn't put it on his physical long form. Yes, I have to get permission from the doctor for the physical so I have a good 2 year physical. However some companies want more than that, or don't want to hire drivers on it.

 

He did not put it on the form because it was a new prescription on a valid physical.

 

That is not correct. You cannot be on any seizure medications.


http://nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/mehandbook/neuro_ref4_epi_epil_ep.aspx

 

I don't know why people are calling Ambien Seizure medication. It is a sleep aid and I use it as such. Furthermore...I did not list it on my long form because it is a recent prescription that was issued by my doctor AFTER my last physical and BEFORE the next one. One poster hit the nail on head stating that after being on duty for 14 hours I won't need it. Hope you're right Bud.

 

I am well aware of what Ambien is.

My reply was to a poster who replied to another one on the seizure meds and stated you could get a doctor to okay and you could drive on it.

It is not a banned drug by the FMCSA. However, companies have the final say on whether they will allow it.

You might want to read this link which has supporting links to the fmcsa.


http://cdllife.com/2012/health/if-you-take-these-medications-you-might-not-get-a-cdl/

 

I've been on Klonopin for the treatment for anxiety since the 90's and now they are making it impossible to pass the physical. The place I normally go and a few others, in the past, have passed me with a statement from the prescribing doctor that I am safe to operate a CMV with the medication. Now it is getting to the point where there isn't a doctor in the country that will.

If I were having seizures, I would be the first to take myself off the road but this med is being used for anxiety. I think that the folks in Washington are going a little overboard with their regs!

I've been doing this for 26 years and now they are taking away my livelihood.