Legality of driving while taking pain meds?

I guess it really depends on the meds, but I would also think that the pharmacy would have to address that on the label of the bottle.

Obviously here in TX it isn't illegal for me. I've been on Hydrocodone and Tizanidine muscle relaxers for the last 4 years and work in a chemical plant where I do have to drive company vehicles around and have no issues.

thats a good question. On mine it has said dont drive or operate machines until you know how the medication affects you. It does not say nor has my doc or pharmacy told me NOT to drive.

So in my state you CAN drive while taking meds. It is NOT illegal so I think that nurse was wrong.

Yah so that nurse was wrong. Im sure she didnt mean to insult you and she may have just thought that with higher dosage of some meds it would 'impair' you or any driver using opiates. or these types of meds. Plus I am sure working in the ER seeing some situations could make a person not want to have what they think would be impaired driving even though its not. She said it with good intentions not bad or mean or threating.

I like the link you gave mercyand grace. and also thank you for in the earlier post for just suggesting to put in your state and driving under the influence. That really makes it clear and easy. For most of us that have been taking meds for a long time we know how it affects us and usually I would say the side effects are very minimal if any after such long use.

Sophia A, I think there has been a misunderstanding. I don't know what state Angeleyes13 lives in. But, some states do have Laws against driving while taking prescription meds. Actually, I would be surprised if all of then didn't. If you don't have a accident that is one thing, but if you do that "can" be different. It became apparent a long time ago that alcohol isn't the only the drug that can affect your driving. The statement below may only refer to muscle relaxers, but that doesn't mean other meds aren't included.

"Mixing drugs and driving, whether it's marijuana or legally prescribed muscle relaxers, is just as illegal as driving drunk and can also constitute a DUI offense. Doctor's orders are no defense to drugged driving charges."

"Driving while impaired" refers to anything.

Just like it is not illegal to drive after having one glass of wine, it is not illegal to drive while taking prescription narcotic medication,...provided,...you have given your body sufficient time to adapt to the meds and are familiar with how the med affects you.

If a glass of wine is obtained legally by an adult, and they are not impaired,.....

If a Rx medication is taken as prescribed by the person to whom it was prescribed and blood levels or urine verify this, and the patient is not impaired,...

....there is no difference.

People's judgment can be impaired by insomnia as well,...or their 2 year old screaming in the back seat.

It's up to us to be responsible individuals, and responsible patients.




M.

I think it best to be as careful as possible and if the medication makes you sleepy in anyway, then do not drive. You can get a dui for medications if you get pulled over for driving wrecklessly...and again the point comes to being responsible with your medications. Never trya new medication until you know how it affects you. That's the warning is better safe than sorry...
Hope this helps..
Also a dui is for anything that can impair how you drive its not just limited to medication and alcohol, but can also be givin for lack of sleep, toxic fumes, ect...

Your nurse is flat wrong! I have a background in Law Enforcement, and as long as you are not under the influence, you may drive. Now if your state has special laws then that will have to be looked into.

I have been stopped on more than one occasion since being on narcotics, and not once was I suspected of impairment. My son in-law is also a State Trooper, and he says the same thing. A good law enforcement officer will look at the pupils of a driver (I always did) if they suspect something. Narcotics, the pupils will be pinned. Medical MJ then they will be dilated.

I generally wear sunglasses during the day, and helps hide the pupils. Again as long as your not under the influence, then you should be fine. Only you know if you should not be driving. I have at times, had my wife drive, especially if I have had a large increase in my meds, as I'm extremely safety conscious. It would just be horrible to cause an accident, and someone get hurt or possibly die. I have worked many an accident where someone was under the influence, and generally was either Alcohol or MJ. I never had one single case of where I arrested a chronic pain patient driving under the influence. Not one!

I have found that most chronic pain patients are pretty responsible people, and have a decent awareness of their surroundings, and abilities, and make smart decisions for themselves.

Bottom line is,…..if you feel or believe your impaired, then do not drive. Otherwise, just be careful and obey the laws.

SE

If you are unsure about the laws in your state that best thing to do is contact the state police and ask them about it or contact an attorney.

For what it is worth I have had nurses tell me that it is illegal, but they are nurses and not lawyers or law enforcement officers.

IMHO I would not mention anything to the law unless they asked. It also would depend on how the medication effects you. Some people have no discernible effects and other people get totally zonked out.