nurses that take anxiety meds

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I was recently prescribed clonazepam 0.5mg @ bedtime for severe anxiety. I started it over the weekend to measure my reaction. So far I am more relaxed, have more energy, and have an easier time focusing on my work. Am I required to tell my employer? There seems to be a big stigma against individuals with anxiety and depression at my place of employment. Any advice is appreciated.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Does anyone know if screening companies ask for a med list before a Pre-employment health screening or just if there is a UA positive? I don't want to have to disclose my prescribed, low dose, clonazepam for fear I won't get a hired.

I can understand your concern, as having a prescription is not bullet-proof protection against a positive UDS. I can't say there's a right or wrong answer as to how you should handle it though...though IMO, I tend to lean on the side of disclosure before the test, because if your test did pop positive the company may not give you the chance to explain it.

For one facility, I was required to list all medications before taking the test...and I did, even anything that was schedule. For the other, I asked and was told I didn't need to list them beforehand, but if I tested positive that I would have to provide valid prescriptions. No issue with either test.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, retirement, home care..

Don't say any thing unless you are asked. You said that there is a stigma in your workplace related to staff with anxiety/depression, so don't bother mentioning it.

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

To me, the Tramadol will be much more troublesome than the Klonopin. Tramadol shows up on an opiate screen and the question will raised is how can you expect to survive in clinical nursing if you're in such severe pain that is requires a narcotic? I work with nurses in recovery. Tramadol IS an addicting drug.

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I'm a new grad looking for work in another state, so the stress is already high for me. I have HIV (20+ years and totally healthy with T-cells > 800 and viral load undetectable ). I take Atripla, which can make me nauseous, so my doc prescribed Marinol 5 mg nightly with my Atripla, and alprazolam 0.5 mg nightly (to keep me from waking at 0200 with anxiety, which was a regular occurrence). I don't want to disclose, as I don't think it's important to my practice, but worry about testing + in my UA. If I take my prescription with me to the testing facility, do they take note of it and not relay the test results to the hiring manager, or do they report a positive test and mention that I have a prescription? I would not like to live through the nausea for the next month just to pass a UA.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
To me, the Tramadol will be much more troublesome than the Klonopin. Tramadol shows up on an opiate screen and the question will raised is how can you expect to survive in clinical nursing if you're in such severe pain that is requires a narcotic? I work with nurses in recovery. Tramadol IS an addicting drug.

Tramadol is not a narcotic; it is not a DEA controlled substance. There is a small chance of cross-reactivity on opiate screening but it typically does not cause a positive opiate result on a screen as it is not an opiate.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Tramadol is not a narcotic; it is not a DEA controlled substance.

In a few states, tramadol is a schedule IV controlled substance...but that's under state law.

It does have a significant abuse potential though: I have had to deal with patients who were detoxing from it. And a lot of facilities will treat it as though it is controlled and require counting, logs, etc., because it is often diverted.

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Specializes in Neurology, Geriatrics.

Definitely not! It's so sad that there is a stigma against people with anxiety and depression at your workplace. :( It's just something that some people have to deal with on a daily basis. Some people just can't cope with it as well as others, I am one of them. I take Buspar twice daily and Xanax prn. It doesn't change who I am, it just helps me work more effectively. I'm sure it's the same way with you. So they don't need to know!

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Specializes in ER/ICU, CCL, EP.

I have Panic Disorder, for which I am on a cocktail of medications, and it is thankfully reasonably well controlled. On the last two drug tests I took for pre-employment, I was positive for benzo's and tricyclics at the very least. I got a call from the 'Medical Review Officer'. I gave Walgreens and my Physician written permission to release my info. Then I was hired. BOTH times. Your prescribed medications are between you and HR. Having said that, I ALWAYS disclose that I have panic disorder on the medical form. No one has ever asked me about it, and I have never been turned down for a job when I got past the interview and to the physical. I am fairly sure none of my direct supervisors have even known about my medications or my medical conditions unless I told them.

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