Sometimes we feel depressed, or we don’t get too much in the mood to do anything. This is not an abnormality; it’s just the off days of your body. But our daily activities cannot wait for our bodies to get back in form. We need something that will give us a boost, so we need certain medications like antidepressants.
Medications except for sleep-aids and intense pain relievers are generally safe for truck drivers. It is healthy and safe for truck drivers to take antidepressants unless in certain cases. There are some uncommon first-generation antidepressants that truck drivers should not take. Some depressants give sedating side effects. Truck drivers cannot take these types of depressants.
As a truck driver, you need to be mentally and physically fit to ensure efficiency while driving the truck. Antidepressants can help you become active when driving. They are safe for your health when consumed the right way. You only have to make sure you take the antidepressants that suit you.
Truck Drivers and Medications
Medication perform a pretty exciting function for truck drivers. It can be all you need to set your body into the driving mode. Medication, just like its name sounds, is a substance that improves the mental and physical functioning of the body.
When a truck driver uses these drugs, he becomes hyperactive and ready to take on the job. However, there are exceptions to this condition. Some antidepressants have sedative side effects. This usually occurs when the driver is a newbie to using antidepressants, or the drug isn’t compatible with the driver.
As a truck driver, if you feel drowsy or dizzy after using medications, you should visit your physician. It might be because you just started using the drugs, or your body isn’t suitable for the exact type. You need to stay off driving till the effect of the drug wears off to ensure your safety and that of others.
You have to know the type of medications to use before driving. You have to know the antidepressants that work best for your body. As a truck driver, there is a list of antidepressants you should not take. These medication can worsen your driving.
Antidepressants You Shouldn’t Take as a Truck Driver
Almost all antidepressants are allowed for truck driver use. But there are a few of them that are not suitable for them. You need to know the antidepressants you should not take to ensure your safety. Here are some antidepressants you should not take;
- Antidepressants with side effects: Certain antidepressants have side effects on their users. Some antidepressants can cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, etc. You have to stay away from these drugs when driving or stay away from driving while using these drugs.
- Narcotics: Narcotics are another type of antidepressant you should not take. It is illegal to take narcotics, prescription amphetamines, and habit-forming drugs. These drugs, like Ambien, can cause memory lapses and hallucinations, which you wouldn’t want to experience as a truck driver. Tramadol is also illegal for truck drivers as they have negative effects on them.
- Benzodiazepines: The use of this antidepressant can be harmful to truck drivers. Benzodiazepines include Xanax and Klonopin, which you should not take as a truck driver. You should only take them under the prescription of a medical examiner.
- TCAs: TCAs can also have negative effects on truck drivers. You have to be careful with the use of drugs while driving.
The use of antidepressants has many clauses in it. Aside from the illegal antidepressants, which you should not take as required by the law, other antidepressants have little leniency with their use.
If you are a truck driver new to antidepressants, the above antidepressants might not be a good choice for you. If you by any chance take these antidepressants, and you experienced their side effects, you should stop their use immediately. There are several other antidepressants you can use without any or many side effects.
However, there are people that their body gets accustomed to using these antidepressants. They do not experience much of its side effects, and withdrawal in its usage can be a real danger. If you fall in this category, you might need to continue the usage of the antidepressants. This generally depends on your medical examiner or prescribing physician.
Side Effects of Antidepressants
There are several side effects of using antidepressants. Some antidepressants have significant side effects, while some only exhibit minor effects. Here are some of the side effects of antidepressants.
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Hallucinations
- Memory lapses
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Insomnia
These are side effects of antidepressants. There are also several other side effects of antidepressants, depending on the type of antidepressants used.
Conclusion
Truck drivers can take antidepressants, but they need to take the right one. Not all antidepressants are safe for one’s health, so you have to be careful of the one you choose. You should see your medical examiner or physician before taking antidepressants.