The phrase "Don t drink and drive"
has become deeply ingrained in public awareness.
However, apart from drunk driving,
have you ever considered the hidden risks of "drugged driving"?
As the name suggests, "drugged driving" refers to the act of driving after taking certain medications that may impair one s ability to drive safely. The dangers of "drugged driving" should not be underestimated, as it can affect a driver s judgment and reaction ability, or even cause hallucinations, seriously jeopardizing driving safety.
So, which medications are most likely to cause driving hazards? Let s find out together.
1. Antihistamines
These drugs are mainly used to treat allergic reactions, but they can cause drowsiness and dizziness after use. First-generation antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine and promethazine, can impair a driver s attention, judgment, and reaction speed.
Additionally, some cold medications containing antihistamines, like Compound Cold Tablets and Vitamin C Yinqiao Tablets, may produce similar adverse effects.
Although second-generation antihistamines, like cetirizine and loratadine, don t usually cause significant drowsiness, drivers should still use them cautiously.
2. Sedative and Hypnotic Medications
Drugs such as alprazolam, diazepam (Valium), and clonazepam have sedative and hypnotic effects. After taking these, drivers may experience drowsiness, fatigue, impaired attention, and delayed reactions, seriously affecting their judgment and reaction ability.
3. Antihypertensive Medications
Drugs like hydrochlorothiazide, clonidine, reserpine, and nifedipine can lower blood pressure but may also cause dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue, impacting a driver s attention and reaction speed.
4. Antidiabetic Medications
Various oral antidiabetic drugs and insulin injections may cause hypoglycemia in the early stages of treatment, leading to symptoms such as heart palpitations, dizziness, and fainting, which can be life-threatening for drivers.
5. Antidepressants and Anti-anxiety Medications
Drugs like fluoxetine, paroxetine, and citalopram can cause tremors and drowsiness, affecting driving safety.
Other medications, such as amitriptyline and doxepin, can cause excessive sedation, blurred vision, and dry mouth, so drivers should not drive while taking these drugs.
6. Antiepileptic Medications
Drugs like carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and phenytoin, while controlling seizures, may also cause dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision, posing potential risks to driving safety.
7. Antibiotics
Medications like streptomycin and gentamicin may cause instability, dizziness, and drowsiness, affecting the driver s ability to stay alert and focused on the road.
8. Common Antipyretic and Analgesic Medications
Drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen, primarily used for fever reduction and pain relief, can sometimes cause dizziness and drowsiness, especially when taken in large doses.
9. Medications Containing Ethanol
Traditional Chinese medicines such as Huoxiang Zhengqi Liquid and Shidi Water contain high levels of ethanol. After taking these, the ethanol content in the driver s body may increase, leading to symptoms similar to drunk driving.
10. Other Medications
Common cough medications like dextromethorphan can cause dizziness, headache, fatigue, drowsiness, and numbness throughout the body.
Some traditional Chinese medicines, such as Tianma, have sedative and hypnotic effects, while Ginseng may raise blood pressure, causing dizziness. These can all endanger driving safety.
Pharmacist s Advice
❖To avoid the risks of drugged driving, drivers should carefully read the medication instructions before taking any drugs. Be aware of the side effects and precautions. If the medication may impair driving ability, avoid driving during the course of treatment. If a driver needs to drive while on medication, consult a doctor or pharmacist to adjust the dosage or switch medications to reduce the risk of drugged driving.
❖When visiting the hospital, actively inform the doctor that you are a driver and ask the doctor to avoid prescribing medications that may have significant adverse effects on driving safety.
❖Drivers should carefully read medication instructions before use, paying special attention to warnings that state “Do not drive vehicles, operate machinery, engage in high-altitude work, or handle precision instruments after taking this medication.” Avoid driving after taking such medications.
❖The time it takes for blood drug concentrations to decrease after taking different medications varies. However, as a general rule, it is recommended to wait 6-8 hours after taking medication before driving.
❖If you experience drowsiness, fatigue, impaired attention, blurred vision, or difficulty distinguishing colors after taking medication, for your safety, stop driving immediately.
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Editor | Huang Fei