Hi guys. I've been researching a trucking career for a while now but I just realized something today that may disqualify me. I am on Celexa which is a medication for Anxiety. I'm much grumpier if I'm not on this medication. Does the medicine disqualify me from driving a truck? I'm guessing the DOT might not like this. Thanks for any info guys (and gals).


Anthony

 

There is a list of prohibited medications. If you do a search you should find it on this forum. You should also be able to go to the Fed website and find it. I am fairly certain that it is on the list, but it would be best to check.

 

I just found some info on the medicine. It is on a list that states that the medicine may not disqualify me but the underlying diagnosis could. I take it for anxiety/a bit of aggression. It looks like the prescribing doctor has to issue reasons as to why you are taking it, for how long and a statement that it will not harm your ability to drive a truck. Hmmm...could be an obstacle for me.

 

I take Adderall for ADD which is basically the same...it helps smooth out the rough edges...and I haven't had a problem finding work. I worked for Old Dominion and they wanted a letter from the prescribing doctor stating it would not affect my driving abilities. My current company just needed to verify that it was a prescription and I was good to go, so if you and your doctor think you will be OK, you should be fine. I called the DOT when I first started taking the med and the person I talked to said the only thing they were concerned about was illegal drugs.

Good luck to you

 

Just yesterday, I turned down a driver for work because he recently got a DUI for driving while on Adderall. He had a prescription, He had permission to be driving while taking it. Yet, one day the side effects kicked in hard, he got all jittery, got pulled over and POOF... DUI in a commercial vehicle. His driving career is pretty much over. Addreral is pure Amphetamine. You pretty much have a prescription for what is almost Meth. Be careful with it. Just because you get permission to drive on it, doesnt mean you cant get in trouble for driving on it.
Personally, even if I did have ADD (which I might) if a DR tried to put me on Amphetamine....I would tell him to kiss my butt. It CANT be good for you to take every day.

 

Sheepdancer, you don't have a clue what Adderall does for someone who needs it. It has the EXACT OPPOSITE effect on a person who doesn't need it!!!!!

 

Exactly Steve, it calms me down. I used to get so pissed off at the drop of a hat that I felt I needed to talk to my dr about it. I've never heard a thing about getting a DUI with Adderall. I would hope my dr would tell me about something as serious as that. Sounds like someones feeding you a line Sheepdancer. I would quit driving before I quit taking the medication. My life is so much better taking it.

 

I know exactly what Adderall does and what its for. I just said its pure amphetamine...which exactly what it is. Personally, I wouldnt take it even if a DR prescribed it to me. Its ABSOLUTELY horrible for you. but thats just me, I personally dont even like taking pain pills or other things of the sort. You are free to take whatever you want.
And YOU CAN get a DUI on it even if you have a prescription for it. Which is why I made the post in the first place. Its a very powerful chemical. The guy I spoke with yesterday took it for years with no problems at all....just one time it affected him the wrong way and now hes screwed. I know personally, I couldnt hire anyone on it even if they had a statement from a DR saying he would be OK.

 

I agree, My oldest was like that, and it calmed him down, even over the counter meds that wire me up have the opposite effect on him!

 

I don't understand how someone can get a DUI if they've been approved by their company and they are under a doctors care. There are certain hoops you have to jump thru before you can drive while taking certain meds. Sounds to me like they found something else in his system and he's blaming it on Adderall. And it is not horrible for you. Taken as prescribed, it has really helped me so i think I'll believe my doctor before listening to you, who obviously has no experience with it.