Prescription narcotics or benzodiazepines while working?

Nurses General Nursing

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Should a nurse be working while on Ativan, Xanax, Lortab, Percocet, or some other prescribed medication that may impair a person? I always thought this was a no no, even with a prescription. Don't these drugs impair ones judgment? Yet, I heard on another thread that nurses take Ativan to get through their shift.

Aren't there warnings on these meds 'do not drive while taking'. Isn't it common sense that, if you shouldn't drive while on a medication, you probably shouldn't be making nursing judgment calls, dispensing risky medications, transferring patients, and so forth.

What is the policy on this? What about the Nurse Practice Act?

narcotics and benzos should be reserved for those w/severe symptomology.

when taken, it would afford the recipient to function in a state of normalcy.

taking meds for anything less than severe, would risk appearing impaired on the job.

i don't find it reasonable to take an ativan/xanax for anticipated jitters on the job.

that type of anxiety is a healthy response that keeps us on our toes.

sometimes i think that we grab a pill as the most immediate fix.

and that is just not appropriate.:twocents:

leslie

Specializes in LTC, Home Health.

Oh thank God we aren't doctors

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I've taken Ativan since 2003, and after all this time I'm still taking the same amount (1 mg) and getting the same results (a full night's sleep). I NEVER take it during the day, though, let alone at work..........I couldn't function.

Then again, I'm not an overly anxious person, and I don't take the stuff for anxiety anyway. I started on it because I was sleeping extremely poorly when I was going through perimenopause, and I notice that on the nights when I don't take it, I have terrible hot flashes and restlessness even though I'm through with all that.

But taking such a medication at work? Not even.........I need all my faculties!

Specializes in DOU.
If the pills are expired, then the Rx is most likely expired. Taking this med and then for some unimaginable reason having to do a drug screen, would put you in very hot water, reason being that you no longer have valid prescription.

LOL!

For the THIRD time, I haven't taken them. Being tempted isn't the same thing as doing it!

:D :D :D

But thanks for your concern.

Specializes in ICU.
narcotics and benzos should be reserved for those w/severe symptomology.

when taken, it would afford the recipient to function in a state of normalcy.

taking meds for anything less than severe, would risk appearing impaired on the job.

i don't find it reasonable to take an ativan/xanax for anticipated jitters on the job.

that type of anxiety is a healthy response that keeps us on our toes.

sometimes i think that we grab a pill as the most immediate fix.

and that is just not appropriate.:twocents:

leslie

For the person that has severe anxiety and panic disorder and needs the medication to function normally, then yes, it would seem to be okay that they take it at work. I say this because medicated people walk among us everyday and we don't even know it. They are NOT IMPAIRED by taking this prescribed medication,, they are functioning like a normal human being on the medication.

In the correct situation, my answer is yes, they can be taken while at work.

Specializes in M/S,TELE,ORTHO,ER.
As a new nurse who is about to go off orientation, the anxiety is killing me. I've considered taking a (low dose) Xanax that was prescribed to me over a year ago for a long airplane flight, but have also worried about whether or not that would be okay. I don't want to ask anyone I work with because I am trying to give the impression that I am relatively confident, and also I know that with more experience, my anxiety will diminish. Hopefully, I won't have a nervous breakdown before I find my groove!

Please speak to your doctor. I have read that some people have had relief with beta blockers for that kind of anxiety.

Also, speak to anyone who will listen. You need to learn how to vent. You'd be suprised how well it works to go ahead and announce an insecure feeling. It usually results in supportive comments from others, as well as possible pointers you can use.

Trying to act experienced and/or "perfect" is just not worth the stress. Plus, if you're already perfect how will you be receptive to new learning experiences?

Good luck.

I've had a script for Klonopin BID since I was a teenager. I've only needed it QD for several years now. I can't fathom trying to make it through the day without it.

During my 1st semester of NS I had an instructor (who was also a NP) tell me I just had to go to my doc & get something for my shaking hands. I didn't tell her I'd been taking "something" for that for years. I really didn't want to discuss it with her.

I'm guessing the nursing shortage would be even bigger than it is already if nurses needing Lortab for their ruined backs or Xanax for panic attacks were to be barred from work.

I'd rather be taken care of by a nurse taking Xanax than one in the middle of a panic attack any day!

Per BON here AND our facility policy if someone is caught taking anything that can impair judgment there can be action taken against the license.

Facility policy is if you can't work without those medicines, especially narcotics then you need to be off using your sick time.

Specializes in Cardiac.
I had a Xanax script a couple of years ago but never would have taken it at work. I didn't find that xanax made me 'high' at all. It helped relax me before a plane ride or before an event where I would be in a large crowd. It tended to make me a little sleepy but never got any sort of 'buzz' from it.

I hade more of a buzz when I took Xanax! I only took 0.5mg and don't really remember much after taking it. I was told I had quite the good time, and I was the life of the party though. I just know I took it in the am and my next memory was in the am-of the next day! I slept like a little baby...

I hade more of a buzz when I took Xanax! I only took 0.5mg and don't really remember much after taking it. I was told I had quite the good time, and I was the life of the party though. I just know I took it in the am and my next memory was in the am-of the next day! I slept like a little baby...

Relaxed? Buzzed?

I was given Xanax by my pdoc once for anxiety. Took the first dose and it put me down like an elephant tranquilizer. Each time I've had one I'm out for 12+ hours. I'm not a little guy. :D

Specializes in CVICU.

With stuff like Xanax, it typically says on the insert "do not drive, operate machinery, yada yada, until it is known what your reaction to the medication will be."

I see nothing wrong with someone who has anxiety taking a Xanax at work to help with an anxiety attack. Now obviously I would hope that it's not a new prescription and that they know that Xanax doesn't knock them on their butt, make them goofy, sleepy, etc.

as a new nurse who is about to go off orientation, the anxiety is killing me. i've considered taking a (low dose) xanax that was prescribed to me over a year ago for a long airplane flight, but have also worried about whether or not that would be okay. i don't want to ask anyone i work with because i am trying to give the impression that i am relatively confident, and also i know that with more experience, my anxiety will diminish. hopefully, i won't have a nervous breakdown before i find my groove!

legally, your prescription is probably expired. so if you took it now and went to work while on it, you could be in trouble if you got caught. best not to ask anyone at work, for a couple of reasons. you must keep your secrets secret if you want them kept secret.

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