Can you take phentermine during a nursing shift?

Nana3RN · Jul 6, 2018

I personally don't think it is any of any one's business what medication you are prescribed. Nursing school or otherwise. I have been a Registered nurse since 1993/94 . And, all the jobs ,assignments ,companies , contracts ; I have had,have never asked for my medications . I have only been required to give anything prescription verification to the MRO for the lab. So, I am a bit confused. How ,could any nursing school; tell you what you can and can't take? If you have a medication prescribed legally . Nurses , physicians , X ray technicians and more in clinical settings are on routine medications.

I can understand the mind altering aspect, indeed. Patient safety is definitely first . However,we have rights as nurses. Our medications and HIPPA information should be the same as any other individual.

Phentermine should not be causing you a Euphoria. That may be an issue in bedside care.

These ,I feel are where the issues may come into concern. Most people with ADD take there medications as prescribed and would be a risk with out them.

I would check with the board. Also,be safe .

NurseBlaq · Jul 6, 2018

How long are you prescribed to take it? Have you told your MD it makes you feel euphoric?

amzyRN · Jul 6, 2018

As far as I know, a healthcare provider is allowed to take prescribed medication that doesn't affect practice. What would be the logic of not allowing an employee to take necessary medications (unless it impaired them)? Most people who take medications do so to be able to function, such as those with ADHD. Plenty of nurses who take ADHD meds like Adderall so that they can function. On the other hand, if a medication hinders practice; in some people, a narcotic might slow them down, it might be problematic.

I had a nursing school classmate that had a car accident that messed up one of his cervical vertebrae and he was taking opioids and our clinical instructor observed his practice and thinking ability decline, so my classmate had to sit out a semester and get physical therapy for his back and neck. Some nurses with chronic pain, however, are used to their meds and it doesn't have the same effect.

I don't think medication should be causing euphoria though, that might be a side effect you should get checked out ASAP. It's always important to look at side effects of meds even rare side effects so that you can be on the lookout for problems. Psychostimulants and narcotics though having legitimate uses and benefits need to be monitored with extreme caution.

psu_213, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2018

I don't think medication should be causing euphoria though

Plus if something were to go wrong, I think this would raise questions about the effect of the med on the OP's mind, and her ability to practice safely. I'm not saying that it means the OP would not be say or that it would be the culprit if something happens, but I could open the door to more troubles if there is a negative outcome for a pt under the care of the OP.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2018

For me, phentermine gives me a euphoric feeling.

The bolded line is EXTREMELY concerning.

So is this one:

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.

A confidence which comes from the effects of a drug and not from knowledge, experience, and skill is an illusion which could result in poor judgment or unwise or unsafe behavior/reactions.

The effects the OP feels almost sounds like those of cocaine.

MunoRN, RN · Jul 6, 2018

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.

I think there's a reasonable argument to had about whether someone might be less impaired by taking potentially impairing medications than they would be without them, but as a legal precedent it's well established that whether a medication could be impairing isn't based on the judgement of the person who's judgement is potentially impaired. That would be like if we defined drunk driving by whether the drunk person felt they were too impaired to drive.

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.

It's well established that employers of workers in safety sensitive jobs can make what prescriptions you take their business.

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 would be an example of what an employer might find to be prohibitively mind altering.

DextersDisciple, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2018

I think there's a reasonable argument to had about whether someone might be less impaired by taking potentially impairing medications than they would be without them, but as a legal precedent it's well established that whether a medication could be impairing isn't based on the judgement of the person who's judgement is potentially impaired. That would be like if we defined drunk driving by whether the drunk person felt they were too impaired to drive.
It's well established that employers of workers in safety sensitive jobs can make what prescriptions you take their business.
This would be an example of what an employer might find to be prohibitively mind altering.

I'm saying if a person has a daily

Psych medication regimen that effectively manages their condition then they should not change that.

The OP is a student, not an employed RN providing independent patient care. Therefore, what she takes should not be of concern to the hospital. I understand employees are obligated to tell employee health any Medications they are taking upon hire, however as long as there is nothing wrong with the employees performance their medical records should still be protected under HIPAA. At least that's the assumption ive been going on.

OP please talk to your dr about the effects you are feeling as they are not what the medication is intended for.

Glycerine82, LPN · Jul 7, 2018

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.

Agree. Nothing mind altering about it. Quite the opposite, actually.

Guest1025459 · Jul 8, 2018

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.

I could be wrong, but missing a doze of Benzodiazepines treating GAD can cause seizures, no?

I'd rather be treated by a nurse on Ativan, than have him or her skip a dose and have a seizure while they're administering my IV.

DextersDisciple, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2018

I could be wrong, but missing a doze of Benzodiazepines treating GAD can cause seizures, no?
I'd rather be treated by a nurse on Ativan, than have him or her skip a dose and have a seizure while they're administering my IV.

I don't know if just one missed dose is enough to do that but several in a row could. Withdrawing from Benzos can be dangerous.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 8, 2018

For a lot of people, phentermine has the same effects as cocaine. Burst of energy, feeling happy and euphoric, as the OP described.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 8, 2018

How long are you prescribed to take it? Have you told your MD it makes you feel euphoric?

I'm sure the MD knows - that is one of the effects of phentermine.