Ritalin at work

Published

  1. Do you think it is ok to have non narc meds at work but are prescription

    • 42
      Yes
    • 1
      No
    • 3
      Undecided
    • 6
      Don't care

52 members have participated

Specializes in Oncology.

I have a question, this started when I was a CNA work freaked out when they found out I was keeping Ritalin in my locker it was in my prescription bottle with my name on it but they still freaked made me go to my doctor which works there and get a note saying I needed it because I have a midle case of narcalepsy and it keeps me alert ECT.. Anyone know why they would freak so bad i know it is a controlled med but I think they went in excess. What do you guys think?:confused:

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

I thought a prescription was like a note. It's shady, what your work is making you do, but just do it and get it over with. As long as this med does not effect your work, then you have nothing to worry about.

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Specializes in Oncology.
I thought a prescription was like a note. It's shday, what your work is making you do, but just do it and get it over with. As long as this med does not effect your work, then you have nothing to worry about.

Quite the opposite the Ritalin help me work better cuz I don't fall asleep when I sit down to chart :) so in the end it is better cuz I am more productive and awake and I think generally safer

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Specializes in PACU, OR.

Yes, I would think it would be necessary, largely because of the possibility of it having been prescribed "illegally", ie fraudulent prescription.

And I have encountered docs who are not above making out scripts "on demand" for addicts :uhoh3:

In fact, I once had occasion to report one of them to our local Medical & Dental Board, when he prescribed Obex for a family member, after finding out that this FM was in the habit of going to this doc every couple of weeks to get a script for 30 tabs...:rolleyes:

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Specializes in Oncology.
Yes, I would think it would be necessary, largely because of the possibility of it having been prescribed "illegally", ie fraudulent prescription.

And I have encountered docs who are not above making out scripts "on demand" for addicts :uhoh3:

In fact, I once had occasion to report one of them to our local Medical & Dental Board, when he prescribed Obex for a family member, after finding out that this FM was in the habit of going to this doc every couple of weeks to get a script for 30 tabs...:rolleyes:

I can see your point on this needing to be careful about meds to get ascribed to Ritalin is highly controlled I cannot get more then 60 pills a month cuz I take 2 a day but makes more sense. Ow to me but I still like to get more peoples opinions and what they would of done in my situation

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I understand needing to use the med- if it is prescribed. But keeping a bottle of it at work? Risky. I would never keep a bottle of ritalin or any other controlled substance at work. If I needed a dose at work I would keep it in a labled bottle with one pill in it each day in my purse and discretly take it when needed. Most of these meds come in long-acting form to avoid taking throughout the day.

Unfortunately society frowns on of pill-taking in front of others. Even though we work in health care this is seen as something that should be done at home. Particularly controlled substances, and the use of ritalin in adults is very controversial even though "true narcolepsy" diagnosed by a specialist is a legitimate use.

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Specializes in Oncology.
I understand needing to use the med- if it is prescribed. But keeping a bottle of it at work? Risky. I would never keep a bottle of ritalin or any other controlled substance at work. If I needed a dose at work I would keep it in a labled bottle with one pill in it each day in my purse and discretly take it when needed. Most of these meds come in long-acting form to avoid taking throughout the day.

Unfortunately society frowns on of pill-taking in front of others. Even though we work in health care this is seen as something that should be done at home. Particularly controlled substances, and the use of ritalin in adults is very controversial even though "true narcolepsy" diagnosed by a specialist is a legitimate use.

Unfortunately being a male I don't have a purse I can keep it in. I told my boss about my meds upon getting hired as a nurse from a CNA and she never said anything about it and said that she would prefer me to take my meds as scheduled if it ment being alert for work. I only keep about 10 pills in my bottle at work at one time. I think why my boss didn't say much was because the doc that diagnosed me was one that she has to deal with and probably asked him

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If I were her I would ask that you keep only a single dose in a secure location. It is still too tempting for someone who wants to abuse it. She could not say anything about it because it could be considered a disability since it is a chronic health problem and therefore your rights are potected under ADA.

You could have a man-purse- very European you know. LOL Or a small pack like the men I work with often carry- a manly man-purse.

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Specializes in Student.

Personally, Any Meds, even Tylenol for "just in case" I keep out of sight

of others - Purse, car..... and taken during a break or lunch - even a quick

restroom trip.

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I understand needing to use the med- if it is prescribed. But keeping a bottle of it at work? Risky. I would never keep a bottle of ritalin or any other controlled substance at work. If I needed a dose at work I would keep it in a labled bottle with one pill in it each day in my purse and discretly take it when needed. Most of these meds come in long-acting form to avoid taking throughout the day.

Unfortunately society frowns on of pill-taking in front of others. Even though we work in health care this is seen as something that should be done at home. Particularly controlled substances, and the use of ritalin in adults is very controversial even though "true narcolepsy" diagnosed by a specialist is a legitimate use.

Actually, having a controlled substance pill, without your prescription bottle, at work seems like it could cause a bigger problem.

Your prescription is your "note" from your Doctor. I don't buy the idea that you need an additional note because the script may have been forged....if someone is going to forge a script, what's to stop them from forging a note?

And I've seen no controversy about adults taking Ritalin. There are people who are uneducated about adult ADHD....but adults taking Ritalin for narcolepsy is not controversial.

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Specializes in PACU, OR.
I can see your point on this needing to be careful about meds to get ascribed to Ritalin is highly controlled I cannot get more then 60 pills a month cuz I take 2 a day but makes more sense. Ow to me but I still like to get more peoples opinions and what they would of done in my situation

Don't get me wrong :) I voted "yes" in the above poll; if it's prescribed, there should be no problem with it. It's just that in the case of something as highly restricted as Ritalin, or any substance with "abuse potential", it's safer to have a covering letter, in order to protect yourself.

There's some good ideas here, you can use a small medicine container, sufficient for one day's requirements, and shove it in your pocket. You can then ask the charge nurse to keep it locked up for you until you need it. No need for a purse...

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I wouldn't want to be that charge nurse that locked it up as I would not want to be responsible if it went missing.

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