Can you take phentermine during a nursing shift?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have been prescribed phentermine for weight loss. I am still in school and they do not let us take any mind-altering substances during clinical such Adderall, phentermine, etc because it may affect our critical thinking throughout the day. My question is, once I become an RN will I be Allowed to take phentermine before a shift? It doesn't alter my mind that much, just gives me energy that I'm sure I'll need and it makes me much more confident. But I definitely do not want to do anything to put my job or my patients' lives in jeopardy.

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Specializes in LTC.

Adderal is for ADHD. A lot of people with ADHD can't think critically when they don't take their medication because they can't focus, like myself.

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Gotcha. Maybe Adderall wasn't on the list. My bad.

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Make an anonymous query to your BON?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

It depends on the employer. If you're working direct patient care or any other position that can be considered "safety sensitive" then employers can restrict even appropriately prescribed medications if it has the potential to be in any way impairing or altering. Places I've worked define this as any medication that carries a warning that it may be impairing such as this one for phentermine: "Phentermine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert." It could be argued this is overly broad, but it's up to employers to define this.

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then how would any Nurses with adhd, depression, GAD or bipolar disorder be able to take their daily meds? Even if you did skip a day or two of say Abilify and Wellbutrin, the drug would still be in your system and would still be able to "impair" your performance.

How do YOU feel when you take your *prescribed* phentermine? You know your body better than any nursing school officials.

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then how would any Nurses with adhd, depression, GAD or bipolar disorder be able to take their daily meds? Even if you did skip a day or two of say Abilify and Wellbutrin, the drug would still be in your system and would still be able to "impair" your performance.

How do YOU feel when you take your *prescribed* phentermine? You know your body better than any nursing school officials.

And quite frankly, it is none of their damn business to know what prescriptions you take. if it does not affect your performance then don't change your routine.

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Specializes in adult psych, LTC/SNF, child psych.

Do you just "skip" it on clinical days? Most people with valid prescriptions take their meds as prescribed and know how their meds effect them. How would they even know you were taking it - a drug test?

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I don't think they mean meds like that. Just the ones That significantly change your personality. For me, phentermine gives me a euphoric feeling. I know how I feel while on phentermine, but let's just say I was ever named in a lawsuit. I just wonder if that would change anything

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I don't think they mean meds like that. Just the ones That significantly change your personality. For me, phentermine gives me a euphoric feeling. I know how I feel while on phentermine, but let's just say I was ever named in a lawsuit. I just wonder if that would change anything

If you are taking it as it is intended for a few weeks i.e. short term only this shouldn't be an issue as you wouldn't be on it for very long. But I'm getting the vibe you are not talking the usual 3-6 week prescription. I suggest that if you are taking this highly addictive medication for any longer period of time you do some research on long term effects.

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I don't think they mean meds like that. Just the ones That significantly change your personality. For me, phentermine gives me a euphoric feeling. I know how I feel while on phentermine, but let's just say I was ever named in a lawsuit. I just wonder if that would change anything

The bolded line is EXTREMELY concerning.

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Specializes in PICU.
I don't think they mean meds like that. Just the ones That significantly change your personality. For me, phentermine gives me a euphoric feeling. I know how I feel while on phentermine, but let's just say I was ever named in a lawsuit. I just wonder if that would change anything

This part bolded is what makes me concerned as well about why you are using this prescription medication. If you are having altered feelings like this it may not be the appropriate dose and it could make you too impaired to work

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