Voltage rating of LM317

The data*** of the LM317 adjustable regulator says that the
max voltage rating of 40V is for the difference between input
and output, instead of between + and - supply as for 78xx
regulators. That's clear enough.

But it's usually desireable to filter the output of any
regulator with a capacitor, and the output terminal will be
momentarily shorted to ground when it's first switched on.
This will cause the input-output voltage rating to be
exceeded in cases where the absolute input voltage is higher
than 40V. The data*** doesn't say anything about this.

If this were a matter of dissipation, it would be of no
consequence, but it concerns voltage breakdown. Can anyone
clarify this point ? Can the LM317 be safely used with an
input of, say 45V and a filtered output of 12V ?

.

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