Just like there are non-deployable medical conditions, there are also non-deployable medications. Contractors who take these medications may be excluded from working overseas. As such, when determining whether a contractor can return to work overseas after a Defense Base Act injury, the parties must consider the contractor’s medications.
Here is the non-exclusive list of medications that disqualify a contractor for deployment, unless a waiver is granted:
- Blood modifiers. More specifically, therapeutic anticoagulants (like Coumadin and Xarelto); platelet aggregation inhibitors or reducing agents (like Plavix, Agrylin, Pradaxa, Aggrenx, Ticlopidine, Effient, Trental, Pletal); hematopoietics (like Neupogen, Leukine, Epogen and Progrit); and antihemophilics.
- Antineoplastics (oncologic or non-oncologic use). This includes antimetabolites, alkylators, antiestrogens, aromatose inhibitors, medroxyprogesterone, interferons, etoposide, bicalutamide, bexarotene, and oral tretinoin.
- Immunosuppressants, like chronic systemic steroids.
- Biologic response modifiers. This includes Orencia, Humira, Kineret, Enbrel, Remicade, Arava, etc.
- Benzodiazepaines, whether used chronically or newly prescribed. This includes Ativan, Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, etc.
- CII stimulants taken for ADHD/ADD, like Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Dexedrine, Focalin XR, Vyvanse, etc.
- Sedative hypnotics/amestics, when taken for more than three months for the treatment of chronic insomnia. This includes Ambien, Ambien CR, Lunesta, Sonata, ProSom, Halcion, Restoril, Dalmane, etc.
- Antipsychotics, including atypical antipsychotic medication.
- Antimanic (bipolar) agents, like lithium. (Note: I think that Lamictal would also fall in this category).
- Anticonvulsants used for either seizure control or psychotic diagnoses. This includes Depakote, Depakote ER, Depacon, Tegretal, Tegretol XR, etc.
- Chantix.
- Opioids, opioid combination drugs, and tramadol for chronic use.
- Insulin and exenatide, like Byetta.
- Injectable medications of any type.
Attribution: Photo courtesy of Flickr user e-Magine Art.
