Gabapentin Dot Physical

I am trying to find out if gabapentin is ok to be in the system (body) of a truck driver. Legal presciption from a doctor.

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Can a truck driver pass a DOT physical if he takes gabapentin?

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Hello, Jeanie! How are you?

I'm sorry, but from what I've found the answer is no. There is an automatic disqualification for anyone taking any type of antiseizure medication.

This is due to the fact that the person either has epilepsy, or if they are taking it for nerve pain or mood disorders, the medication could put them at risk of a seizure, if they miss a dose or are late taking it. Having a seizure while driving could be very dangerous.

The FDA lists the typical side effects to this medication as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, mood swings and weight changes.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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How long will this drug be in the person's body once they quit taking it?

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Jeanie, it depends on how much they've been taking and how long they've been on it.

To prevent the risk of seizures, they would also need to do a slow tapering of it, which could prolong the process.

Overall, it will likely take a month to taper and then several days for it to be eliminated from the body.

Are there any other questions or concerns?

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If I cannot take Gabapentin for nerve pain from my neurofibromatosis and naracotics are out, what is a safe alt? NSaids can cause damage after long term use. Correct? What is DOT approved?

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Even if it is not for seizures? I have it for migraines. My doctor says a skipped dose will not cause a seizure if that is not what it is being used for.

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Here is a website i have been referencing in my prior post:

fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-medications-disqualify-cmv-driver

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I currently take 300 mg of Gabapentin for nerve pain and is "Not" used for the prevention of seizures...so my prescribing doctor seems to think since he prescribed the gabapentin specifically nerve pain that it should be ok.. Especially since it will be accompanied by a letter from him stating just that. Question... Do you think that would work?

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Just quit taking Gabapentin. Had my DOT physical a week or 2 ago. Dr told me Gabapentin or anti-convulsive meds are a disqualification period no matter why you are on it.

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My first day a cdl schooling is Monday sept 11.2017...I have been talking gabapentine 400 mgs for a long time....it does not make me sleepy at all....and I take it as an anti-depressant, not for anything else....I use to take cymbalta for anxiety and depression...but it got to be to expensive and my insurance would not cover it anymore....but any way can I take gabapentin while obtaining a cdl and driving truck.....

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I work as a pharmacy technician and I can tell you that people are abusing gabapentin because they can get an opiate-like effect from it and the pharmacy that I work at treats it like it's a controlled substance and we won't fill it until 90% has been used. In Kentucky, they are making it a controlled substance and in time, other states will do the same.

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Re: C (# 7)

Well, I just read that page. It says if you take it for siezures then no, you can't be on it. I'm going down for my DOT physical today and I take more than almost all of you. 1200mg 3x day. I have a crushed nerve in my spine. Missed doses for a day or two and the only affect was my leg started to hurt. Get a note from your doctor stating you will have no ill affect on your driving. Also according to my doctor was a pharmacological engineer (scientist) states this drug is not prescribed much anymore for epilepsy and there are better drugs for that now. According to him, it is just prescribed for nerve damage.

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Re: Sid (# 12)

Did you pass your exam with gabapentin?

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Re: Sk (# 13)

Yes I got a med card. Doc told me as long as its used for neurological its fine. But just to be clear, this ***** let me have my dot card when she should of been calling an ambulance to take me to the hospital! My blood pressure was heart attack level 174/108. It took me 4 different meds to get it under control and today I'm trying another one (side effects were horrible).

So take what I say now with a grain of salt. I walked away from the whole trucking industry. Too low of pay for what your body and mind have to go through.

To the Pharmacy guy. I think dang near every drug can be abused. The only thing gabapentin did for me was stop the sciatica. At least I didn't want to put a bullet in my head anymore. Just saying.

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Yes, I take it. They only require that the prescribing doctor give you a note that says it does not affect your ability to drive safely.

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Re: Maria (# 11)

Wow, that seems kind of ridiculous. If you take enough of a lot of things you can feel euphoria. I really hope this doesn't eventually cause problems for me. I take 1200mgs daily for fibromyalgia and it's been a miracle drug.

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Any prescription drug with a warning label that states use care when operating a vehicle, vessel, or other machines is considered DUI if you have an accident and DUI releases the insurance liability to any victims of accident. CDL class A drivers and anti-seizure nerve drugs are highly forbidden along with narcotic drugs. Doctors don't care about FMCSA or DOT because if you crash and burn it's "job security" to hospitals.

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Re: C (# 7)

And the first thing it says is, if the anti seizure med is for the prevention of seizures, not if it is used for pain

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If you are taking the medication for Neuropathy you will be fine or you might be able to take Lyrica I was approved and passed physical and they had my medical list

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Well I'm also on gabapentin 300 mg I just had my DOT physical today and I passed it. I have a nerve problem in my lower back. I'm afraid to have the shot in my back for pain due to its side effects. The day they say I can't take it that's the day I'll stop driving and I don't have any side effects from taking it, and I take 2x day .

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Re: Verwon (# 2)

Why is illegal to self medicate yourself while being a trucke driver

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Re: Verwon (# 2)

Incorrect. Must have a note from prescribing physician stating that the med. is not for given for the treatment of seizures. If not than the examiner can decide weather he/she feels the driver can pass.

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Re: ranchnumber51 (# 16)

Totally agree. Many OTR have the warning label.

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Re: Driver2 (# 17)

Dude you're wrong. Don’t spread misinformation. It's not necessarily a DWI or DUI. Drugs, when being tested for, have a level of threshold that have to be met to be considered under the influence. Look on basically any OTC, a good majority of them have to same thing you mentioned on the label. This is only to exclude the manufacturer and distributor of liability.

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What trucking companies allow you to take prescription Lyrica for nerve pain

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Re: jeanie (# 1)

Will Gabapentin stop you from getting your CDL permit

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