train driver trainee on antidepressants?

[theo0808]

i was thinking of applying for a train driver trainee place but I am taking fluoxetine (a antidepressant). Is it worth applying? I know the police will not take you if your on antidepressants.

thanks

 

[Lrd]

It's always worth applying and if they come across anything out of the ordinary they will look at it on a case-by-case basis.

It's worth bearing in mind that most, if not all, safety critical positions (driver being one) are subject to a medical, which includes a drugs test so as long as the doctor/TOC is aware they can ask more questions if needs be.

No idea for specific drugs though.

HTH.

 

[TDK]

i was thinking of applying for a train driver trainee place but I am taking fluoxetine (a antidepressant). Is it worth applying? I know the police will not take you if your on antidepressants.

thanks

Depends on the reason for the anti-depressants - you will most likely not pass the medical if you are on prescription controlled drugs that will affect your ability in any way, I would wait until for whatever reason you are on the drugs goes away and you don't need them anymore

 

[onionjoe76]

From my experience, at a medical they will ask some more probing questions about why you are on the fluoxetine, and as in my case, also contacted my doctor for full medical history regarding depression.... I failed that particular medical. (and that wasn't even for a driver post, it was traincare).. I think anything that involves being on or near lines is going to be tough to get in to while on them. Sorry.

 

[RPM]

In the sort of doses that are prescribed for depression, fluoxetine is not known to impair concentration or alertness and will not affect your ability to drive. However, at the medical it is not the drug they will be worried about but the fact that you suffer from depression. They will want to investigate further and obtain the opinion of your GP before making a decision. So it could count against you, but it is not an automatic exclusion so I would suggest you go for it anyway and see how you get on. If you do get through you may be required to attend regular check-up medicals every six months or so. Best of luck anyway.

 

[cj_1985]

to be clear upfront, i dont work on the railways...
but ISTR reading on another forum a few years back about different medications that are not permitted in safety critical roles...which i think includes "driver".

while i don't think its anything to do with the medication type - in this case anti depresants - its more to do with the most common side effects of those tablets...

i know that most anti depresants (that i checked at the time) are on the prohibited list due to side effects including the likes of imparing your reactions/reaction time , and also that the meds can commonly cause tiredness.

fluoxetine is one of the more mild anti depresants (in my experience) as well as being the most common type to be prescribed by a GP...

depending on the severity of the depression or anxiety.. you could always experiment with herbal supliments like St Johns Wort which some people find to be of benefit, with little (if any) side effects...


i know i was advised by a Railway driver that the best thing i could do if i wanted to work on the railway would be to sort my head out to the point where i could manage without the medication...

 

[Driver Bob]

Please, please do not get your hopes up.

Some good points have been raised here about anti depressant medications and it is mentioned that some do not necessarily impair a persons reactions and judgement by much, but the point is, they do.

Now consider a Train Operating Company's possible view.... there is a mishap and there is loss of life. The press will have a field day telling the world that XYZ Train Operating Company allowed their Driver to drive their trains whilst suffering depression. Just imagine the fallout!

Deression is a very common problem, but from a TOC point of view they have thousands of applicants....

Bob.

 

[Rjhsteel]

Just had a medical myself and mentioned i was on Seroxat for mild excessive sweating. Its classed as an anti depressant though.

Bit worried now.

 

[Driver Bob]

Just had a medical myself and mentioned i was on Seroxat for mild excessive sweating. Its classed as an anti depressant though.

Bit worried now.

Hmm.... that is an interesting one! I am no medical person but if you are on record as being prescribed Seroxat for something other than depression then as I see it, it should not be a problem.

For theo808 and others in that position I sympathise. I have been there myself.

Bob.

 

[pendolino]

I am no medical person but if you are on record as being prescribed Seroxat for something other than depression then as I see it, it should not be a problem.

It's the side effects of SSRIs that mean they can't be taken by safety critical staff - drowsiness, poor concentration etc. Even when prescribed for something other than depression, those side effects are still there.

 

[Driver Bob]

It's the side effects of SSRIs that mean they can't be taken by safety critical staff - drowsiness, poor concentration etc. Even when prescribed for something other than depression, those side effects are still there.

Very good point that I overlooked.

Bob.

 

[Davidj1178]

Hi

Just had a phone call offering me a customer service job with network rail - just waiting on date for medical.

I have been on antidepressants for over a year due to problems in my home life (financial stuff) over the past couple of years.

these problems are now sorted but I am still on the pills as you can't just stop them straight away.

Will this affect my medical? bneen reading this post but don't know if my job is "safety critical"?

any help much appreciated

 

[RPM]

It's the side effects of SSRIs that mean they can't be taken by safety critical staff - drowsiness, poor concentration etc. Even when prescribed for something other than depression, those side effects are still there.

Its not as clear cut as that. SSRIs carry a list of about 20 possible side effects, but most people will only experience one or two of them. Also, the side effects will often cease after the drug has been taken for a number of weeks. A medical officer assessing a candidate for a safety critical role on the railway is not interested in the possible side effects so much as how the drug is affecting the individual candidate. They may, on this basis, decide there are no issues and the person if fit for safety critical duties.
However, if the SSRI is being taken to treat depression they will need to be fully satisfied that the illness is under control. This will be much more of a stumbling block than the drug side effects.

 

[TDK]

Its not as clear cut as that. SSRIs carry a list of about 20 possible side effects, but most people will only experience one or two of them. Also, the side effects will often cease after the drug has been taken for a number of weeks. A medical officer assessing a candidate for a safety critical role on the railway is not interested in the possible side effects so much as how the drug is affecting the individual candidate. They may, on this basis, decide there are no issues and the person if fit for safety critical duties.
However, if the SSRI is being taken to treat depression they will need to be fully satisfied that the illness is under control. This will be much more of a stumbling block than the drug side effects.

These things are usually decided by the railway doctor, I had to take co-codomol and had to see the railway doctor and passed me fit to drive althought co-codomol has traces of opius in it, however if I didn't inform anyone that I was on these and was random tested I would have been escorted from the premises. I certainly would never employ anyone who is on medication for depression for a safety critical role especially a drivers role.

 

[LCC106]

I would recommend you talk to your GP about your ideal role and the fact it is safety critical. He or she will be able to discuss your current situation, where you need to be and the likelihood of reaching that status on a controlled withdrawal, with close monitoring. If you have a genuine reason for being on the antideps and are managing the situation properly, you may well be ok... Good luck!

(I do agree with other comments about people currently on the medication and in a safety critical role, btw, but sort your health first, career comes second. Hope this makes sense...)