Blood Medication Pills./ Anti Depressant.

I take 200 mg of Zoloft for anxiety /depression been taking for over 6 months. I also take 2 blood medications. propranolol and lisinopril. will this disqualify me from driving I heard it wouldn't they don't get me drowsy or anything. So what do I do when I get to the DOT part or better yet say?

I meant to write blood pressure meds..lol

I can't say for sure about the Zoloft, but as long as it doesn't state "Do not operate heavy machinery while taking this medication" on the bottle, its probably fine. Blood pressure meds do not disqualify you... Just make sure your blood pressure is under 140/90..

Avoid caffeine and really salty foods the day before and the day of the physical to be absolutely sure that you wont have any issues with it.

Jacob, the way that D.O.T. physical/drug testing works is that you will be given a form to fill out that asks for all of your prescription medications. You will fill out the form with the information, and it is best for you to have your medications with you in their original bottles showing the doctor's name who prescribed them. As long as those medications are prescribed for you then you are fine. The whole trucking industry runs on blood pressure medicines, so don't let that concern you.

I have seen a few folks have trouble getting their anxiety medications approved by the trucking companies, but you will just have to try it and see. It's not that big of a deal, if they don't approve the one you are taking your doctor can easily switch you to one that will be acceptable. The main thing is do not try to hide what you are taking - always be honest and upfront about it. The truth has a sneaky little way of always surfacing, and when it does then you are done. Don't worry about that medication, I think it will all be fine. They may want you to change it, but it will probably depend on the company that you choose. I once saw a former Army vet get rejected at TMC for the medications he took for his combat related PTSD, but when I helped him apply at Schneider they had no problem with it.

... as long as it doesn't state "Do not operate heavy machinery while taking this medication" on the bottle, its probably fine. Blood pressure meds do not disqualify you...

Is that the standard? If I get off any meds that have this label for, say 2 months, I could pass this test? Then how often are you re-tested?

Then how often are you re-tested?

You will be re-tested each time you have a D.O.T. physical - if you get a one year card, which is common for folks on blood pressure meds, you will be re-tested on that annual date as you renew your card. Remember, as a commercial driver's license holder you are agreeing to random drug testing - you could be tested at any time, and any place. Even a D.O.T. officer at a weigh station could ask you to pee in a cup for him if he wanted to.

One other thing to keep in mind is that each time you start a new trucking job you will be taking a physical and being re-tested. You may go to a truck driving school, get a D.O.T. physical with a drug test, and then go to your first trucking job one week after your school, and you will have another physical and drug test done. It is very important if you are on medications that you have all you documentation with you each th=ime you go through this. Bring all your medications, and all your doctors names and phone and fax numbers with you.

I was once with a group of drivers having our physicals done at a doctors office and one of the drivers had some health issues. He had a large bag full of medications he was on - I'm talking twenty or thirty bottles of pills. He was fine, because he had everything with him that they needed to know about. The main thing is that you are prepared for the drug test with all the needed information - if you don't list a certain medication like a narcotic and it shows up on your test - that is when you will have a big problem - always be prepared.

I've been trying to lower my blood pressure as well. My family has a history of high blood pressure and I've been watching my diet/exercising, but does anyone have any more tips that I can use while on the road?

Phil, use the search bar at the top of this page - it only searches this site. There have been a lot of discussions in here with some great tips and alternative ways to reduce your blood pressure.

Phil, use the search bar at the top of this page - it only searches this site. There have been a lot of discussions in here with some great tips and alternative ways to reduce your blood pressure.

Thanks Old School!

always be prepared.

Thanks