Vicodin And Trucking..

I would have wanted it from dispatch or safety in writing.

For sure. I have a follow-up appointment with the dentist in the morning. I'm going to see if he can write down a statement that I'm ok to drive as long as x number of hours has passed since I took a Vicodin. That's what DOT lady suggested.

But even if DOT is okay...if it's against swift policy you are screwed, hence get it in writing from the company.

Vicodin will stay in urine for 72 hours (+/-) after last use. If you only have taken a couple, they likely would not show up in hair testing, at least not at detectable thresholds.

As others have mentioned, I would CONTACT SAFETY for the final word on when you can drive after taking one.

As others have also mentioned - you're better off trying something like 800MG of Motrin. Opiates are FUN, but regardless of whether or not you "feel the effects", they are present regardless.

As far as keeping the prescription bottle - I'd throw out the remainder, and keep the empty for a week or two. Since Vicodin is Schedule II Narcotic, and is also on the FMCSA List of Prohibited Substances - I wouldn't want to be stopped with a bottle with pills in them - REGARDLESS OF THE EXCUSE.

Rick

What medications disqualify a CMV driver?

A driver cannot take a controlled substance or prescription medication without a prescription from a licensed practitioner. If a driver uses a drug identified in 21 CFR 1308.11 (391.42(b)(12)) or any other substance such as amphetamine, a narcotic, or any other habit forming drug, The driver is medically unqualified. There is an exception: the prescribing doctor can write that the driver is safe to be a commercial driver while taking the medication. In this case, the Medical Examiner may, but does not have to certify the driver.

Also - as a side note.

Your use of Vicodin for a day, to get a tooth pulled - doesn't "invalidate" your DOT Medical Certification.

Now - if you were taking it - and got into an accident while on it - and tested positive, you could be in SERIOUS TROUBLE (even if it can be "explained away", for a tooth extraction). I'd be a little extra cautious for the next 72 hours after you stop.

If you were using it under a doctors care - and he certified that it doesn't affect your ability to drive - it would "technically" be OK. But in reality, we all know that pretty much NO COMPANY is going to hire you driving on opiates. We've seen a number of prescription meds (pysch meds mostly) that are NOT on the FMCSA No-Fly list, that will still get you sent home for 30 days to get off them. Medical Examiners are getting really leery of the potential liability of certifying anyone that is on a med with side effects that could affect driving - even with a doctors letter. ME's that are doing physicals FOR a company, take their direction for what is acceptable or not FROM THE COMPANY.

Rick