Medications and driving

What medications you should never take if you are driving

Some medications could be very risking when mixed with driving. Your motor skills could be dulled and your reaction times may be distorted, even though you feel fine. Suddenly, the world starts spinning, things get blurry, and you wind up in an accident.

Here is a list of medications you should avoid when driving:

1. Antihistamines

   They are usually used to relieve allergy or cold symptoms. There are two types of antihistamines on the market and those are the non drowsy ones and the ones that will make you sleepy. To be sure what type of antihistamines you have, you should check the ingredients. If something ends in “amine,” it will make you sleepy. Antihistamines can also cause blurred vision because they dry up the tear ducts.

2. Antidepressants

   In some patients, antidepressants like Trazodone, Nefazodone can cause drowsiness and a slowness of reaction time. On the other hand, Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro can cause insomnia, which will make you tired and slow during the day. No matter what kind of antidepressant you are taking, you should hold off driving for a few days when you first start the treatment, but for most people, their body will acclimate.

3. Pain relievers

   The pain relievers that are the most dangerous are the ones that belong to the opiates family such as morphine and codeine. They cause sleepiness, dizziness, euphoria, and disorientation. Your body expends a lot of energy and produces adrenalin to deal with pain. So when the pain drops off, so does your adrenalin and you feel exhausted. That’s why not only opiates are dangerous, but almost every pain reliever that will indirectly relax you and impair your coordination and reaction times.

4. Anxiety medications and muscle relaxants

   Medications such as Valium and Xanax may have a tranquilizing effect that can impair judgment and reaction times. The natural sleep or relaxation products like valerian root, can have the same effect.

5. Stimulants

   Products like caffeine pills or energy drinks can lower your ability to concentrate, making you less likely to pay attention to fine details.

Don’t forget that you should always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects before starting a new prescription. You should also take medications at the prescribed levels and dosages.