Some Medications and Driving Don't Mix
If you are taking a medication, is it OK to drive?
Most likely, yes. But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that it's best to be absolutely sure before you get behind the wheel. While most medications don't
affect driving ability, some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can cause reactions that may make it unsafe to drive. These reactions may include
- sleepiness/drowsiness
- blurred vision
- dizziness
- slowed movement
- fainting
- inability to focus or pay attention
- nausea
- excitability
Driving while on medications can also be a legal issue. State laws differ, but being found driving under the influence of certain medications (prescription and OTC products) could get you in the same kind of trouble as people caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
Products That Require Caution
 Knowing how your medications -
or any combination of them - affect your ability to drive is clearly a safety measure involving you, your passengers, and others on the road. Products that could make it dangerous to drive include
- prescription drugs for anxiety
- some antidepressants
- products containing codeine
- some cold remedies and allergy products
- tranquilizers
- sleeping pills
- pain relievers
- diet pills, "stay awake" drugs, and other medications with stimulants (e.g. caffeine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine)
Products that contain stimulants may cause excitability or drowsiness. Also, never combine medication and alcohol while driving.
Alternatives to Driving Yourself
Planning ahead will help get you to the places you want to go. Consider the following alternatives to driving yourself:
- rides with family and friends
- taxi cabs
- shuttle buses or vans
- public buses, trains, and subways
- walking
Also, senior centers and religious and other local service groups often offer transportation services for older adults in the community
- Seniors can call the ElderCare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 and ask for the phone number of the local Office on Aging, or go to the Web site at www.eldercare.gov.
- Regional transit authorities can provide information on which bus or train to take.
- Easter Seals Project ACTION (Accessible Community Transportation In Our Nation) can direct you to transportation resources near you. Call 1-800-659-6428 or visit www.projectaction.org.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
|
