Is it legal to operate a semi while taking over the counter cold medicine?

Question

I have a cold and am all stuffed up and want to take some non-drowsy cold medicine(Psudoephedrine HCL) Is it legal to operate a semi (I'm in a truck driving school)while taking this.It is the only ingredient in the medicine.Please post references if you have them.I was thumbing through the CDL manual for my state (Washington)and it says some cold medicines are forbidden.

Answer 1

It maybe different in your state, but here in NY it is not illegal to operate vehicles while you are taking OTC drugs or rx drugs. However, it is important that the driver knows how their body reacts to the medication before driving. ie, if it makes you sleepy it's probably not a good idea. Since you are taking a drug similar to Sudafed- the drug actually does the opposite and tends to keep people awake.