Prescription Medications

[hayman]

In the literature with my ccw application it lists restrictions on carrying. One is "being under the influence of any medication or drug, whether prescribed or not." Does this mean that anyone taking prescriptions cannot carry? I am taking prescriptions for blood pressure, cholesterol, nerve pain, and diabetes. Do I need to disclose my medications during the interview? As with many prescriptions, some of these say in their literature to use care while driving until you know how they will affect you. I've been on these for years with no side effects, but I want to be up front and do the right thing in the application process. How do you define "under the influence"? Any thoughts or advice?

Hayman

[crash5150]

I interpret it as prescriptions that can or may alter your thinking.

[scott240]

I dont know for sure but I just took my CCW class yesterday and the instructor made it sound like if your perscription alters your mind in any way then its a no go. I dont know what those pills do to you, but I would think as long as its not a pain killer or something like that then it should be ok, but I'm not sure I'm sure someone will pipe in soon about it.

[lacubsfan]

Originally Posted by hayman

In the literature with my ccw application it lists restrictions on carrying. One is "being under the influence of any medication or drug, whether prescribed or not." Does this mean that anyone taking prescriptions cannot carry? I am taking prescriptions for blood pressure, cholesterol, nerve pain, and diabetes. Do I need to disclose my medications during the interview? As with many prescriptions, some of these say in their literature to use care while driving until you know how they will affect you. I've been on these for years with no side effects, but I want to be up front and do the right thing in the application process. How do you define "under the influence"? Any thoughts or advice?

Hayman

You are fine, none of those medications alter your mind.... however I don't know if you should list them or not because the side effects might list things that only happened in 0.01% of all the trials they did.

[neuron]

Originally Posted by lacubsfan

You are fine, none of those medications alter your mind.... however I don't know if you should list them or not because the side effects might list things that only happened in 0.01% of all the trials they did.

The following is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be medical advice.

Lots of prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) medications come with warnings about operating dangerous machinery or driving, etc. while taking them. This includes common OTC meds for cough, cold, and allergies. People have been convicted of DUI for being under the influence of antihistamines (like Benadryl) and cough syrup (which contains dextromethorphan and sometimes ethanol).

Rx meds for pain, muscle spasm, and anxiety (esp. opiates, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates) can definitely alter thinking and behavior to the point that you shouldn't drive or CCW while under their influence. The OP mentions an Rx for nerve pain, probably related to diabetes. Many of the Rx meds for nerve pain, including antiseizure and antidepressant meds can impair thinking
and affect behavior to some degree. You should consult your physician and your attorney.

[SierraNevadaCCW]

I've never heard of anyone being convicted of DUI Benadryl or DUI Blood Pressure meds. Can you back this up with some kind of evidence, link or other proof of that, Neuron?

[Keith(CA)]

Originally Posted by SierraNevadaCCW

I've never heard of anyone being convicted of DUI Benadryl or DUI Blood Pressure meds. Can you back this up with some kind of evidence, link or other proof of that, Neuron?

As someone once said to me . . . your Google-fu skills are weak, grasshopper. I found it in less time than it took to post this.

The National Safety Commission Alerts: Getting A DUI From Over-The-Counter or Prescription Drugs

[Keith(CA)]

Hey Neuron, I see you're from Emeryville. How is it over there these days?

I worked in a small office there a few years ago, and I used to love walking to the Public Market for lunch . . . so many yummy choices!

[THE Gimper]

I had a similar situation. I was on a medicine that had as a possible side-effect, "May cause drowsiness." I went to my doctor and got a note from him that stated that I was taking the medicine without any side-effects. I carried that with my CCW in case I ever needed it. I did not disclose that I was taking the meds because there wasn't anywhere on the form where that question was asked. It is just in the statement about when/where you can and can't carry.

[lacubsfan]

Originally Posted by SierraNevadaCCW

I've never heard of anyone being convicted of DUI Benadryl or DUI Blood Pressure meds. Can you back this up with some kind of evidence, link or other proof of that, Neuron?

If I were the guy I wouldn't list any of the medications... you can get jacked up on almost anything. The reason the military switched from Listerine to Listermint was because you can get drunk off your butt on Listerine and plenty of people did.