can my boss legally fire me for taking lisinopril – a blood pressure medication?
I have been perscribed lisinopril for high blood pressure, and it is only 10 mg tablets and on the container it says that it may cause dizziness and not to drive a car or operate machinery until you become familiar with its effects. I work a job that involves operating machinery.
Tagged with: dizziness • high blood pressure • job • lisinopril • mg tablets
Filed under: blood pressure medication
Tracy M and JB are both correct, you cannot legally be fired for being on anti-hypertensives. In most people, side effects are usually not long lasting and dissipate after a few days after the medication has started to take effect on the body.
hell no
pay attention to how it affects you for the first couple of weeks. If you don’t get dizzy, you’ll be ok. Dizziness is one of the potential side effects, but in most people its not bothersome. If it is, let your doctor know, especially if it may interfere with work. The dizziness isn’t something you’re expected to just live with while on the medication. You can switch to a different one if needed.
Well, I suppose they could legally fire you because you are unable to do your job duties. That having been said, if lisinopril even makes you dizzy, it wouldn’t last for more than 2 weeks unless you were allergic to it. It just takes a little but for your heart to get used to the change. Also, if you’re having problems with high blood pressure, it’s more dangerous to work on machinery with it uncontrolled, as that can make you dizzy and lightheaded as well. I wouldn’t tell the employer. Even if they drug tested you, they would never know you took it, it doesn’t show up. Just be responsible, and if you start to feel dizzy, tell someone, and get off the machinery. All in all, you’re actually a much safer employee by controlling the high blood pressure. If worse comes to worse, just remind them of that! Having a heart attack on the job could turn into a big hassle for the employer.
get a drs letter stating the meds effects…ur boss will have to find another task for you do do….btw ive taken this… i didnt get dizzy or anything
No you can’t be fired for taking blood pressure med.Was this the reason for your dismissal ? Is there other jobs that you are able to perform during this transition period? Did you supply a doctors note for this? If so your employer may be in violation of the disability act. Talk to a lawyer.
so you are to take a drug every day that affects you in a way that you should not operate machinery. Would you smoke dope or drink alcohol every day before work?? Do you want to spend the rest of your life stoned?
They cannot fire you. If you have been on this medication more than a few days, you no longer have these restrictions. Your body adjusts to blood pressure medications rapidly and symptoms are usually present only the first few days that you start a new medication. If you are more than a few days out from starting this medication and still having symptoms, I would be talking with my doctor. Otherwise, if the symptoms are gone, go back to doing your usual work.
If you feel okay on this medicine and it doesn’t affect your ability to do your job, then no, I think it’s illegal for him to fire you.
Have your doctor write a note stating you are able to perform your job duties, and you should be fine.