Certain medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, can cause drowsiness, dizziness, impaired vision or nausea, making it dangerous to drive. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these drugs can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including the common cold, seasonal allergies, anxiety, body aches and chronic pain.
Some medications can temporarily impact driving, while others can persist for several hours or even the next day. These medications usually include a warning on their packaging, urging the user not to drive any vehicle for several hours after taking the drug.
Types of medications that impair driving
There are seven types of medications that are known to impair driving, according to AARP. These include:
- Pain medications such as prescription opioids (Oxycodone) relax the body and relieve moderate to severe pain by slowing down your reflexes.
- Sleep aids may still remain in your system the next morning, leaving you feeling drowsy and lightheaded.
- Antihistamines such as Benedryl are usually taken to stop an allergic reaction because it is fast-acting. It’s also extremely sedating and the effects can last for a few hours or carry into the next day, depending on the dosage.
- Cold and flu medicines containing the cough suppressant known as dextromethorphan (Mucinex DM) can cause dizziness or drowsiness.
- Anti-seizure medications can be very sedating. Sometimes, they are used for other ailments, such as migraines, anxiety and nerve pain. These medications may cause drowsiness, blurred vision, and dizziness.
- Benzodiazepines (Xanax) are used to treat anxiety. They slow down the central nervous system and relax muscles which causes sleepiness and slower reflexes.
- Antidepressants and certain antihistamines (Hydroxyzine) used to treat anxiety can be highly sedating.
The sedating effects of these medications can impair a driver’s ability, and lead to a serious car accident. If you have been injured by a driver who is under the influence of any of these medications, seek assistance to pursue reimbursement for damages and hospital stays.