Paxil/Driving & Health Insurance

Michael Moore's new movie, Sicko, pretty much showed up the United States health care system and health insurance companies as being uncaring bastards... word of warning though, it could soon be the same here in the UK. The FDA have a file on their website that I happened to stumble across, a file that I or others have never seen or heard of before.

It's always been a great wonder to me whether or not it is safe to drive whilst on Seroxat medication. I would strongly urge anyone suffering withdrawal NOT to drive - I would also recommend to anyone to let their partners or friends drive them anywhere - we all know how easy it is to turn into road rage when something happens you don't agree with. I'd guess that the slightest 'mistake' by the driver in front would be enough to tip the driver following over the edge if he/she were on Seroxat.

The AA and RAC don't recognise that it is dangerous for motorists driving whilst under the influence of Seroxat, not just a danger to themselves but to other motorists free from the poison too. Insurance companies here in the UK don't mention it either.

Maybe after this surfaces they will.

GlaxoSmithKline would have us all believe that it is perfectly safe to drive whilst taking Seroxat, I mean there is absolutely nothing wrong with Seroxat now is there?

So where does that leave the drivers? Be warned - If you have an accident whilst out driving and you have been taking Seroxat then you may be liable - it only takes a lawyer for an insurance company to find this particular loophole - I'm just surprised it hasn't been used already!

Maybe an email to some of the top insurance companies out there will (forgive the pun) set the wheels in motion.


Here is the file - DOWNLOAD

Pay particular attention to page 9

"...patients should be cautioned about operating hazardous machinery, including automobiles, until they are reasonably certain that Paxil CR therapy does not affect their ability to engage in such activities."