Medications

Psychiatry

The effect of psychoactive medications should be evaluated in the same manner as any other medication. LEOs should not be restricted simply because they are being treated with psychoactive medication(s). They need appropriate evaluation regarding the effect of these medications, as well as the underlying condition(s). Many LEOs may work without restrictions when taking psychoactive medications with ongoing monitoring.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants – Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

Antidepressants – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

A – approved while on duty
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

Antidepressants – Trycyclic Agents

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, drowsiness, orthostatic hypotension, visual disturbances
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

Antidepressants – Other Agents

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, dizziness, tremor, visual disturbances
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, dizziness, drowsiness
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, sedation
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, sedation, hypotension, visual disturbances
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, dizziness, drowsiness, visual disturbances
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

Antipsychotics

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, sedation, hyperglycemia, visual disturbances, extrapyramidal symptoms, orthostatic hypotension
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

Anxiolytics – Hypnotics

Anxiolytics – Hypnotics – Benzodiazepines

S – short-term use approved if taken off duty (with appropriate delay before returning to full duty to assure that there are no further residual effects); psychiatric evaluation recommended for long-term use (more than a few days); risk of sedation
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

S – short-term use approved if taken off duty/12 hours (with appropriate delay before returning to full duty to assure that there are no further residual effects); psychiatric evaluation recommended for long-term use (more than a few days); risk of sedation
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

R – approved only if assigned to restricted duty; safer alternatives should be used given the potential for hallucinations

S – short-term use approved if taken off duty (with appropriate delay before returning to full duty to assure that there are no further residual effects); psychiatric evaluation recommended for long-term use (more than a few days); risk of sedation
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

Anxiolytics – Hypnotics – Other

S – approved if taken off duty (with appropriate delay before returning to full duty to assure that there are no further residual effects); psychiatric evaluation recommended for long-term use (more than a few days); risk of sedation
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

S – approved if taken off duty (with appropriate delay before returning to full duty to assure that there are no further residual effects); psychiatric evaluation recommended for long-term use (more than a few days); risk of sedation
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

Mood Regulators

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, ataxia, visual disturbances, sedation
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, ataxia, sedation, lithium toxicity
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, visual disturbances, sedation
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, sedation
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

Stimulants

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, visual disturbance, hypertension
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

Other Psychiatric Medications

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, dizziness
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, hypertension
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, cardiovascular side effects
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, visual disturbances
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, dizziness, sedation
D – diagnosis may dictate restriction

A – approved while on duty

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, hypertension

T – temporary restriction at beginning of treatment; monitor for behavior changes, hypertension, visual disturbances