disclosing PRN Vicodin

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · May 9, 2007

I certainly would disclose it.

If you come back testing positive for opiates and you have not disclosed the Vicodin then yes, they will not hire you.

I am on a tranquilizer and antidepressant and always disclose. At my last test the MD said, "Oh, then you'll test positive for benzos. That's okay, though, because you have a prescription." (Which they never asked to see.)

ginger58, ASN, RN · May 9, 2007

Disclose. If you don't and you come up positive they'll wonder why you didn't tell them when you have a medical reason for taking it. You'll be fine. There are lots of people on lots of drugs for legit reasons.

Dolce, RN · May 9, 2007

Disclose that you are taking it, but it probably won't come up in the drug screen since you haven't used any in a week. Congratulations on your job offer!

kukukajoo, LPN · May 9, 2007

Definately disclose.

FYI- MOST places that do drug testing for employees do not pass on the information they receive from the test subject regarding medicines they take. They only need this information for the testing purposes. Such as in the above poster's case- even if she did test positive for benzo's it would be reported as a negative drug screen and nothing further.

We have a local facility that does drug screens for employers and they are very thorough and if they get a positive without this information they will call the tester to make sure nothing was missed on the intake interview. The last thing they are out to do is prevent someone that is legally using medicines to get a job.

SmilingBluEyes · May 9, 2007

DISCLOSE and have your RX or bottle handy when you do drug test or disclose. It will be ok. I am on PRN vicodin for migraine, disclosed and presented the bottle with my name on it at the disclosure. No problem getting the job.

suzanne4, RN · May 10, 2007

As long as you have a legal prescription for it, it is not an issue. If you do not disclose it and it shows in a drup screen, then they can make an issue of it. Some testing facilities will ask you for the meds that you are taking, and some will not. If you do come up positive, they will just verify that you have a current Rx for it.

The issue is not to be taking it when you are at work. If the pain requires Vicodin, then you should be off of work for that shift. Just follow that simple rule and you will not have any problems. Even with an Rx for it, and if any problem happened at work, that would be brought up and could cause issues for the nurse.

Good luck with the job.

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · May 11, 2007

As long as you have a legal prescription for it, it is not an issue. If you do not disclose it and it shows in a drup screen, then they can make an issue of it. Some testing facilities will ask you for the meds that you are taking, and some will not. If you do come up positive, they will just verify that you have a current Rx for it.
The issue is not to be taking it when you are at work. If the pain requires Vicodin, then you should be off of work for that shift. Just follow that simple rule and you will not have any problems. Even with an Rx for it, and if any problem happened at work, that would be brought up and could cause issues for the nurse.
Good luck with the job.

:yeahthat:

mamason · May 11, 2007

Disclose and you can always add, "Taken rarely."

bigsyis · May 11, 2007

Having done MULTIPLE drugs screens when I was doing Occ Med, you would be well-served to declare ANY meds, Rx or OTC that you have taken within the past month. Be sure to let the tester know that you can provide Rx containers in YOUR name. One of our employees was terminated because she tested positive for a pain med that she took at her Mother's house, because the med was not directly Rx'd to her. The name of the med? Darvocet!