Related Articles
It’s become common knowledge that drinking and driving don’t mix — but should you get behind the wheel after popping a pill?
It depends on the type of medication, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
While most medicines are safe to take on the go, some may cause side effects that can interfere with the ability to operate a vehicle or heavy machinery, the agency warned in a notice on its website.
AMID KRATOM OVERDOSE CLAIMS, GROUPS CALL FOR REGULATION, BETTER TESTING OF DRUG
These side effects can include drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, fainting, lack of coordination, nausea, inability to focus or pay attention, and excitability, the FDA noted.
“Some medicines can affect your driving for a short time after you take them,” the notice stated. “For others, the effects can last for several hours and even into the next day.”
Some medications may cause side effects that can interfere with your ability to operate a vehicle, the FDA warned. (iStock)
Some medicines come with a warning to not operate a vehicle or operate heavy machinery for a certain period of time after taking them.
MAN DIES AFTER CONSUMING TOO MUCH VITAMIN D AS EXPERTS WARN OF RISKS: ‘CASCADE OF PROBLEMS’
“Many different types of medications — such as antipsychotics, anti-epileptic medications, stimulants, muscle relaxants, opioids, benzodiazepines, sleeping pills, some antidepressants, and even over-the-counter medications like antihistamines — can cause side effects that impair mental and motor functions, including fatigue, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, delayed reaction times and visual impairment,” Katy Dubinsky, a New York pharmacist and the CEO and co-founder of Vitalize, a private supplement company, told Fox News Digital.
“These side effects significantly reduce alertness and clear vision, which are crucial for safely driving and performing everyday tasks,” she added.
Some medicines come with a warning to not operate a vehicle or operate heavy machinery for a certain period of time after taking them. (iStock)
Dr. Shana Johnson, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician in Scottsdale, Arizona, noted that central nervous system depressants can be particularly dangerous for driving — as these medications exert their effects by calming the brain.
“Side effects associated with this calming include sleepiness, loss of focus and fuzzy thinking,” she told Fox News Digital.
WHEN SHOULD OLDER DRIVERS HAVE TO STOP DRIVING?
“Common examples of this class are medications for muscle spasms (muscle relaxants), pain (opioids), seizures (anti-seizure medications) and anxiety (benzodiazepines).”
Two other classes of medications that have sedating effects are antihistamines used for allergy control and anticholinergics used for bladder control and chronic pain, Johnson added.
Medications that don’t mix with driving
The FDA website includes the following list of medications that could make it dangerous to drive.
Antipsychotic medicinesAnti-seizure medicines (antiepileptic drugs)Diet pills, “stay awake” medicines and other stimulants, including caffeine, ephedrine and pseudoephedrineMedicines that treat or control symptoms of diarrhea and urine or bladder controlMedicines that treat or prevent symptoms of motion sicknessMuscle relaxantsOpioids, including some cough suppressants containing codeine and hydrocodonePrescription medicines for anxiety (for example, benzodiazepines)Sleeping pillsSome antidepressantsSome prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedies and allergy medicines that contain antihistamines, nighttime sleep aids or cough medicinesProducts containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD
Some medication side effects can include drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, fainting, lack of coordination, nausea, inability to focus or pay attention and excitability, the FDA noted. (iStock)
Taking sleep medicines at night can sometimes cause impaired driving the next day, the FDA warned.
“If you take sleep drugs, talk with your health care professional about ways to take the lowest effective dose, when to take the medicines before bedtime, and when it would be safe to drive again after taking a sleep medicine,” the agency advised.
WHY SOME SENIORS SHOULD SIGN ‘DRIVING CONTRACTS’ AND AGREE TO HANG UP THEIR CAR KEYS
Allergy medications may contain antihistamines that can also impede driving ability, the FDA added.
“Antihistamines can slow your reaction time, make it hard to focus or think clearly, and may cause mild confusion even if you don’t feel drowsy.”
One doctor tells patients to try a new medication when they don’t have plans to drive — so they can see how it affects them and potentially avoid any dangerous situations. (iStock)
Johnson said the impact of medications on driving abilities may vary from person to person.
“One person may feel no sleepiness with an antihistamine, while another may feel sleepy the whole day,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Seeing how a medication affects you is important to know before driving on it.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
In her practice, Johnson said she tells her patients to try a new medication when they don’t have plans to drive — so they can see how it affects them and avoid a dangerous situation.
“The risk of medications impairing driving increases if you are on multiple medications with sedating side effects and with older adults,” she added.
Preventing impaired driving
For those who are taking medications, it’s recommended to consult with a health care professional for guidance related to driving.
For over-the-counter medicines, the agency recommends always following directions for use and reading the warnings on the Drug Facts label.
For those taking medications, it’s recommended to consult with a health care professional for guidance related to driving. (iStock)
For prescription medications, the agency recommends following the directions and warnings on packaging, as well as reading the FDA-approved labeling.
“Your health care professional might be able to change your dose, adjust the timing of when you take the medicine, or switch the medicine to one that causes fewer side effects for you,” the FDA stated.
It’s also important to tell your doctor about other medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking, as it’s possible that they could impact any side effects.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
Melissa Rudy is health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.
