I am embarrassed to ask , but here goes . My wife has been trying to prescribe me antidepressants for the last 2 years . I hate to even take a occasional Tylenol. My dad passed 2 years ago and we were buds, I have not been right since. my question is are these types of drugs banned ? Also If they are allowed should I wait until after I get Hired to start taking them. I am being told I need them for 6 months.

 

What kind of meds that are allowed vary by company. Most just want to make sure they cause no adverse side effect, especially drowsiness. Personally, if you take them and they don't affect you negatively, then I wouldn't volunteer that info to a company. Some may say that is dishonest, but why burn yourself out of a good job.

 

They are not banned by the DOT (as of yet) but there are companies out there that will not hire you if you are taking one of several different anti-depressants. It's all about liability and the trucking companies really need to cover their butts on this. One accident, no matter who's fault and no matter what the circumstances and the trail lawyers will pull a "Macdonald's hot coffee" lawsuit on the company.

Most companies will have a list of meds that are acceptable and those which are not acceptable to be hired. Call the companies you would like to work for and see if they can give you this info. This will save a lot of time and frustration later.

 

has anyone ever heard that your own private medical issues are just that. no one elses business. We still have privacy laws.

 

Thank You for your answers ! I will wait untill after I get hired on, and then inquire with the company as to what is allowed .

 

Why don't you ask your doctor if what he'd prescibe would have adverse side affects relative to driving a commercial vehicle? The FMCSA site has a meds list that preclude someone from working as a truck driver. But to not put on an app what meds you're taking could really backfire on you, let alone the company that'd employ you. BOL

 

Sealord, My wife is a NP and can prescribe for me. I had hoped that these types of meds were not allowed so as to get her off my back. So if all goes well with Swift training and I get hired on, I will look into what their policy is in regards to acceptable meds, and get their approval . The last thing I want to do is lose a job over it. I believe just a career change will change my attitude, I am a severely burnt out builder.

 

Not when it comes to the D.O.T. and meeting regulations and standards. The original poster is doing the right thing by asking the question beforehand. Better to find out now, than later. If you want privacy concerning your medical records, trucking isn't for you.

 

I've been a truck driver for many, many yrs. And the older we get, the more meds we need. now, if someone thinks they are going to tell someone every med they take, then they are living in a fantasy world. If anti-depresents(which i don't take) precludes you from driving truck, then I'll bet half of the ppl on here won't be driving truck with that reasoning. and if anti depressants preclude you from driving a truck, then they should preclude you from driving period. I'm sure truck drivers understand the 4 second rule with or with out antidepressants.

 

I tried telling that to my Doc last time I had a physical. However He insisted on putting his index finger in my caboose :shock: :shock: