These Common Medications Can Make Driving Dangerous
These Common Medications Can Make Driving Dangerous
Driving under the influence isn鈥檛 limited to alcohol or illegal drugs. Many common, over-the-counter medications can significantly impair your ability to drive safely.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drive impaired in the United States every year.
Some of the most common medications include:
- Antihistamines (Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra): Medications used to treat cold and allergy symptoms, such as nasal pressure, pain, or fever, can cause drowsiness and slow reaction time.
- Decongestants: May lead to dizziness or anxiety and make you feel 鈥渇oggy.鈥
- Anti-diarrheal and anti-nausea drugs (Imodium, Pepto-Bismol): Can cause sedation or blurred vision.
- Antiemetics (Bonine, Dramamine): Used for nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness.
- Sleep aids: Can cause residual effects the next morning.
鈥淢ost of the ones listed have some sort of sedative effect,鈥 explains Scott Youngquist, MD, an emergency medicine physician at 麻豆学生精品版. 鈥淲e know driving drowsy is very dangerous. When people are sleep deprived and get behind the wheel, it's almost the same as if they were intoxicated.鈥
The result is slower reflexes and reaction time, which can lead to a driver running a red light, not braking quickly enough, or making other collision-causing errors.
Expert Advice: Read Labels and Ask Questions
Always check the warning labels on medications. If it says, 鈥淒o not operate heavy machinery,鈥 that includes your car.
鈥淭hese drugs, in particular, people feel like they're safe enough that a doctor doesn't have to prescribe them,鈥 Youngquist says. 鈥淧eople taking these medications may not feel any adverse effects, even though their reaction time is slowed.鈥
Take these precautions to ensure everyone鈥檚 safety:
- Avoid driving if you feel drowsy, dizzy, or unfocused
- Track side effects when starting a new medication
- Ask the pharmacist questions if you鈥檙e unsure about the side effects
- Consult your doctor if you need to drive regularly while taking medication
Driving while impaired by medication is just as dangerous鈥攁nd illegal鈥攁s driving drunk. Protect yourself and others by staying informed and making smart choices.
