Use of antidepressants - train driver

[ian1970]

I have been driver trains for ten years. My doctor has told me I now need to take Citalopram for anxiety/depression however, Occupational Health will not allow me to drive trains while I am on this medication.

Has anyone ever been allowed to perform any safety critical duties including
train driving whilst on this medication?

thanks

 

[Tetchytyke]

Some of the most common side effects of citalopram are sleeping problems (either too much or too little) and drowsiness. I can see why occy health would be worried.

 

[ainsworth74]

Is there not some other medication that could be prescribed that doesn't hold those sorts of concerns for occupational health?

 

[GatwickDepress]

If there is no alternative medication, it may be worth asking your doctor if there's an therapy alternative that would satisfy Occupational Health and deal with mental health issues, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

 

[fluff]

Whilst I haven't taken citalopram, I have been allowed to drive in the past whilst taking fluoxetine for depression. This was a few years ago now. Prior to that I was also allowed to drive whilst taking one of the older tricyclic anti depressants although I can't now remember which one.

There was some concern about potential side effects. In each case however I had been off sick and had been taking the medication for some time before returning to work, so was able to confirm that I did not suffer any side effects.

 

[ian1970]

I have previously been on this medication and had no side effects whatsoever.
It must surely be decided on an individual basis. some will have reactions and others wont. It's worth noting that the FAA (federal aviation administration) are now allowing pilots to fly whilst taking antidepressants.

 

[GB]

Ok so you haven't yet had any side affects, but whats to say you won't have any further down the line?

 

[GarethJohn]

Ok so you haven't yet had any side affects, but whats to say you won't have any further down the line?

Is that a pun?

Would it be worth taking time off without pills to help the depression?
And would you have too hand in your Drivers Licence if you were taking them?

 

[170401]

Have known several people to be allowed to work safety critical duties (Including myself) on both Citalopram and Fluoxetine.

Your company may keep you off for a period of time to assess any possible side effects. Of course once you are back on the jobs and you do feel any side effects you should report them.

 

[Qwerty133]

At the rate anti-depressants are being given out, TOCs will have to allow it before long if they want any drivers.

 

[MetroDriver]

I must digress that I was taking Citalopram about 10 years ago whilst active as a Tram Driver (essentially in the same safety critical environment), but as a result of the side effects of this medication on me personally I had a work incident which resulted in an in-depth investigation and subsequently Occupational Health saying a most definite no for me to drive whilst on the treatment? By all means PM me ian1970 an I can go into more detail if it helps, but having come off them and successfully returned to normal duties for some years now I can say from experience that caution needs to be taken over the outcome.

 

[ian1970]

I was on citalopram a few years ago and wasn't allowed to drive trains then. There was just no discussion about it. This forced me to come back to work after 6 months and to stop taking my medication. For me this was far too soon as I had only been on citalopram for 5 months. At the company's expense, I was also seeing a psychiatrist and undergoing CBT. However for whatever reason, this made little if any difference. I would never drive a train if I knew I was suffering from side effects that would effect my performance.

Thanks for the replys so far
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I was on citalopram a few years ago and wasn't allowed to drive trains then. There was just no discussion about it. This forced me to come back to work after 6 months and to stop taking my medication. For me this was far too soon as I had only been on citalopram for 5 months. At the company's expense, I was also seeing a psychiatrist and undergoing CBT. However for whatever reason, this made little if any difference. I would never drive a train if I knew I was suffering from side effects that would effect my performance.

Thanks for the replys so far