Antidepressant Allowed?

[mjminak]

I'm considering truck driving as a new career. I've been taking Zoloft for over 5 years. It's never caused drowsiness or any other side effects. Will I be able to get my CDL? Will trucking companies hire me while on Zoloft?

[greg3564]

It depends on the company. Some will allow them some won't.

[glasman2]

I did a google on side effects. I'm not doctor, but I would guess most companies saying NO. You would have to get a doctor to say this medication wouldn't effect your driving. Good luck, but I don't see that happening.

[Rookie McRookerson]

I just passed a DOT physical and I take Zoloft. The physical was done by my family physician. I also have no side effects.

The DOT physical directs the doctor to make their determination based on the medication whether or not is causes the person to be unable to perform the duties.

I've been sweating this issue. I was relieved when I passed the physical. Then I read on this site that some companies require you to pass THEIR physical. I don't know if the person writing knew what the heck they were talking about or not.

[Uturn2001]

Greg gave you the best answer possible.

[kc0iv]

I just passed a DOT physical and I take Zoloft. The physical was done by my family physician. I also have no side effects.

The DOT physical directs the doctor to make their determination based on the medication whether or not is causes the person to be unable to perform the duties.

I've been sweating this issue. I was relieved when I passed the physical. Then I read on this site that some companies require you to pass THEIR physical. I don't know if the person writing knew what the heck they were talking about or not.

Most companies do their own physical. A few years ago I had 3 physicals cards at one time.

kc0iv

[DesertRat]

OK, I'll probably get yelled at, or at least lectured for this but...

Contrary to what recruiters and the like might tell you, drug tests do not test for every drug under the sun. DOT requires only a 5 panel drug screen, many companies will opt for the more inclusive 10 panel. If you look both of those tests up on the internet, you'll find that neither is going to find Zoloft. Take that for what it is worth and proceeed from there. Just remember, if company policy forbids something, you're out of a job if you get caught with it. Even if a drug test won't find it, it could still be spotted as a bottle sitting in your cab.

[Aligator]

OK, I'll probably get yelled at, or at least lectured for this but...

Contrary to what recruiters and the like might tell you, drug tests do not test for every drug under the sun. DOT requires only a 5 panel drug screen, many companies will opt for the more inclusive 10 panel. If you look both of those tests up on the internet, you'll find that neither is going to find Zoloft. Take that for what it is worth and proceeed from there. Just remember, if company policy forbids something, you're out of a job if you get caught with it. Even if a drug test won't find it, it could still be spotted as a bottle sitting in your cab.

By law the only source of information the company has is YOU! The only information they can ever get is the info you give them. That's why they had to pass unenforcable laws that "require" you to fess up.

[Rookie McRookerson]

Well, I'm breathing a lot easier. I contacted the company who had given me a letter of intent to hire. I openingly disclosed that I take Zoloft and asked if that created a problem with working for them. The recruiter I have been dealing with had to chedck it out and call me back. The answer I got was that it was okay as long as I took it as prescribed.

I can't tell you what a relief that bit of information was! I was afraid it would be a deal buster.

I also contacted another company I applied to (didn't want to put all my eggs in one basket). They also said the medication was okay.

Nothing else blocking me from moving forward now. Watch out, here I come!

[Useless]

OK, I'll probably get yelled at, or at least lectured for this but...

Contrary to what recruiters and the like might tell you, drug tests do not test for every drug under the sun. DOT requires only a 5 panel drug screen, many companies will opt for the more inclusive 10 panel. If you look both of those tests up on the internet, you'll find that neither is going to find Zoloft. Take that for what it is worth and proceeed from there. Just remember, if company policy forbids something, you're out of a job if you get caught with it. Even if a drug test won't find it, it could still be spotted as a bottle sitting in your cab.

By law the only source of information the company has is YOU! The only information they can ever get is the info you give them. That's why they had to pass unenforcable laws that "require" you to fess up.

Kudo's and a tip of the hat to both Desert Rat and Alligator on this one!!!

I have a real problem with laws that penalize a driver for dealing with mental health issues.

If you disclose this information voluntarily, you will either be denied employment, or you will have to get a letter from your physician stating that she/he will not prescribe it in the future.

Desert Rat is absolutely correct; Zoloft will not appear on the DOT drug screen. He is also correct in stating that you should keep your prescription bottle well hidden.

Alligator is also correct; the only party that the tester can obtain that info from is you.

I seldom encourage someone to lie, but I do see this issue as an exception.

[Rookie McRookerson]

The problem I have with this advise to withhold information about medications is that you are required to disclose ALL medications, even over the counter on the DOT physical form. If you don't, and your employer ever finds out, it is cause for immediate termination.

I wouldn't want that on my conscious every day. Its like looking over your shoulder all the time. Sure you might get away with it throughout your career. but, you could loose that career on any given day.

I prefer honesty. It helps me sleep better at night. JMHO.

[Useless]

I wouldn't want that on my conscious every day. Its like looking over your shoulder all the time. Sure you might get away with it throughout your career. but, you could loose that career on any given day.

I prefer honesty. It helps me sleep better at night. JMHO.

R/McR,

I admire your sense of honesty and ethics; I too, believe in being honest and above board. In this case, we are dealing with a system that is fundamentally flawed.

I believe that it is fundamentally wrong to punish someone who is being properly treated for a chemical imbalance, or an imbalance within the endocrine system, while allowing another driver who may have the same disorders to drive, even though the effects of those disorders are remaining untreated.

The effect is to punish someone for seeking help, while allowing someone who needs help, but does not seek it to continue to drive. Once a person's body has had time to adjust to an anti-depressant, there should be no problem with being a safe operator. Yet, a driver whose condition is going untreated risks being a danger to himself and others.

I know that honesty helps you to sleep better at night, but some people (including me!!!) need just a little more help. I have been on anti-depressants for almost a decade. I have a neurological condition which makes getting through a sleep cycle properly just about impossible.

The anti-depressant that I take (Amitryptaline) should preclude me from driving a commercial vehicle, or flying an airplane.. It has never shown up on a drug test. At the same time, if I did not take it, then I would not be safe to operate my daughter's electric motor scooter, or fly a kite!!!

[Rookie McRookerson]

Useless, I completely agree with your line of thinking. That is the reality. Do you want someone who is unstable with depression driving 80.000lbs of rolling stock down the interstate because he chose not to take medication? I think not. But the industry is saying just that with its rules.

I think its the common side effect of drowsiness that scares the industry. They would rather, in some cases, to throw the baby out with the bath water, than to depend on the physicians to find the right medication that will treat the condition without causing that side effect.

There are probably thousands of drivers just like you out there being successful but keeping a "dirty little secret." Its a shame.

[greg3564]

Bottom line..."Don't ask, don't tell." Works for the military.

[BanditsCousin]

I was on antidepressants and wouldn't advise anyone to drive on them. Of course, it was Lexapro, but I don't know about Zoloft. Ever try going without, or do you suffer from severe depression>?

[GirlnamedShannon]

Just cover your bases and bring a note/letter from your prescribing Dr stating the meds will not effect your ability to drive. The safety department of the company will likely ask for it after your physical and it's likely the Dr performing the company physical will as well.

It's just easier to be prepared and have all relevant paperwork when you go to orientation to avoid a last minute flurry of phone calls and faxes.

[nrvsreck]

I was on antidepressants and wouldn't advise anyone to drive on them. Of course, it was Lexapro, but I don't know about Zoloft. Ever try going without, or do you suffer from severe depression>?

What do you mean "of course it was Lexapro"? My doc is having me try that for now. I've found I can't sleep worth a damn, but, hell, it's an uncomfortable matress, and I never could sleep on it too well. Other than that, I haven't really noticed anything different. What's the deal with it?

[Rookie McRookerson]

Bandit's comment is uninformed. He/she may not do well on that medication. But, that doesn't mean it will effect the next person in the same way. The same medication will effect different people much differently. Not everyone will have the same side effects as the next person.

If the medication doesn't make you drowsy or dizzy, and your doctor approves you to drive, you should be okay. There is always the concerns in the industry we have talked about earlier in this post.

[Useless]

Bandit's comment is uninformed. He/she may not do well on that medication. But, that doesn't mean it will effect the next person in the same way. The same medication will effect different people much differently. Not everyone will have the same side effects as the next person.

If the medication doesn't make you drowsy or dizzy, and your doctor approves you to drive, you should be okay. There is always the concerns in the industry we have talked about earlier in this post.

I do think that B/C made a good point in emphasizing the idea that if a certain med. is impairing reflexes or cognitive abilities, then a driver should not drive. There is quite a story that I could tell about having personal experience with a poor psychiatric diagnosis, an improperly prescribed antideppressant, and the toll that it took on my family and me; I'm just not sure that I'm quite ready to tell it. I think that R/McR is also correct in pointing out that certain meds will affect different people in different ways.

I do think that a driver should have about 90 to 180 days of successful treatment with an antidepressant before he/she resumes driving.

[nrvsreck]

Bandit's comment is uninformed. He/she may not do well on that medication. But, that doesn't mean it will effect the next person in the same way. The same medication will effect different people much differently. Not everyone will have the same side effects as the next person.

If the medication doesn't make you drowsy or dizzy, and your doctor approves you to drive, you should be okay. There is always the concerns in the industry we have talked about earlier in this post.

I'm not so sure I trust my doctor. All I know is they want to prescribe whatever gets them the most money. I've read alot about people having bad side effects with Lexapro. So far I haven't had any except lack of sleep, but that was a side effect of depression so I had already accepted it as normal. Other than that I feel fine.