Question about Blood Pressure Medication
 

I was recently put on medication to lower my blood pressure. Dr. assures me it will not affect my ability to drive. I have looked and can not find anything that shows whether it is on the DOT approved list, or perhaps I do not know where to look. I am currently on 5mg of Amlodepine per day, anyone have any info on this medication?
I just took my DOT physical last month and was under the limit for blood pressure, but my Dr. says it has gradually increased over the last year, and he wants to stabilize it before it gets any higher.

Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks,

Mark

I'm not sure about that particular med, but I would think it is OK as long as their are no side effects that cause drowsiness. A lot of CDL drivers take blood pressure meds.

Originally Posted by :
DOT approved list,

For the 30 millionth time there is no DOT/FMCSA list. The lists seen circulating the net are ones specific companies will not allow.

A driver can take any prescription medication out there if the following is met:

It is prescribed to the driver
The driver takes it as prescribed
The doctor who prescribes the medication understands what the driver does and firmly believes that the medication will not pose any kind of safety issues. (When it comes time for a physical the examining doctor needs to also concur)

If all the above are not met the driver may be ineligible to drive while taking the medication.

If you have any question about whether or not a specific medication is allowed by your company then talk to your safety department.

I have high BP too....I'm not familiar with Amlodepine,but I'm on 3 other meds that don't affect driving......Metoprolol,Lisinipril and Niphedipine...The only times I could't drive was after taking the meds without milk or eating.....It made me dizzy and nauseus...2-3 hours of sleep cured it....Now I know better......You might want to watch that.....

for most people, no it won't affect your ability to drive, but side effects can include dizziness or lightheadedness and drowsiness. watch yourself while your body becomes used to it.

drug information for Amlodipine

Originally Posted by Uturn2001:

Originally Posted by :
DOT approved list,

For the 30 millionth time there is no DOT/FMCSA list. The lists seen circulating the net are ones specific companies will not allow.

Yes there is. It's on the page right after the Regs requiring clean white sheets and having your bed made at all times. :lol:

Is that the chapter before or after the one that says you cant have a handgun in your rig?????? :roll:

It's no big deal. I'm on the same thing and it will maybe make you feel a little dizzy for a few hours in the morning but after a few weeks you just accept it as a fact of life and it won't bother you any more.

I take Lisinipril, Lipitor, Nexium and Glyburide and Avandamet for my Type 2 Diabetes and they dont bother me at all.

Do yourself a favor and dont get old.....LOL

Originally Posted by Bumper:
Is that the chapter before or after the one that says you cant have a handgun in your rig?????? :roll:

The chapter before the one that says you must have a HAZMAT endorsement and placards to have a pee-jug.

Somewhat back to the original topic: does trucking cause high blood pressure, or does it attract people with high blood pressure? Seems like half the drivers I talk to here or IRL (including myself) have HBP.