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    Question ID:   5655         Current Version: 1
Question: What do I need to know about driving when I am taking medicines?
Category: Automotive & Transportation > Driving & Safety
Keywords: safety, risk, dangerous, drive, take, medicine, drug
Type: what
Rating:(0 ratings)    Views: 355    Discussions: 0   In Watch Lists: 1  

 
    Answer:

Driving is a complex skill. Your ability to drive safely can be affected by changes in your physical, emotional and mental condition. When you are taking medicines, talk to your healthcare professional about how each may affect your ability to drive safely.

Some of the many reasons people use medicines include:

How can medicines affect my driving?

Medicines include those that your doctor prescribes and over-the-counter medicines. Many individuals also take herbal supplements. Some of these medicines and supplements may cause a variety of reactions that may make it more difficult for you to drive a car safely. These reactions may include:

  • sleepiness
  • blurred vision
  • dizziness
  • slowed movement
  • fainting
  • inability to focus or pay attention
  • nausea

Often people use more than one medicine at a time. The combination of different medicines can cause problems for some people. This is especially true for older adults because they use more medicines than any other age group. Due to changes in the body as people age, older adults are also more likely to have medicine related problems. The more medicines you use, the greater your risk that your medicines will affect your ability to drive safely. To help avoid problems, it is important that at least once a year you talk to your healthcare professional about all the medicines - both prescription and over-the-counter - you are using. It is very important to let your healthcare professional know what herbal supplements, if any, you are using. Do this even if your medicines and supplements are not currently causing you a problem.

Can I still drive safely if I am taking medicines?

Yes, most people can drive safely when taking medicines. It depends on the effect those medicines - both prescription and over-the-counter - have on you and your driving. In some cases, you may not even be aware of the effects. However, in many instances, your healthcare professional can help lessen the negative impact of your medicines on your driving in several ways. Your healthcare professional may be able to:

  • adjust the dose
  • adjust the timing of doses or when you use the medicine
  • add an exercise or nutrition program to lessen the need for medicine
  • change the medicine to one that causes less drowsiness or some other unwanted side effects

What can I do if I am taking medicines?

Talk to your healthcare professional honestly.

When your healthcare professional prescribes a medicine for you, ask about its side effects. Ask, "How should I expect the medicine to affect my ability to drive?" Remind your healthcare professional of other medicines - both prescription and over-the-counter - and herbal supplements you are using, especially if you are seeing more than one healthcare professional. Tell your healthcare professional if you are not using all or any of the prescribed medicines. Do not stop using your medicine unless your healthcare professional tells you to.

Ask your healthcare professional if you should drive - especially when you first take a medicine.Using a new medicine can cause you to react in a number of ways. It is recommended that you do not drive when you first start using a new medicine until you know how that drug affects you. Some over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements can make it difficult for you to drive safely.

Talk to your pharmacist.

Get to know your pharmacist. Ask the pharmacist to go over your medicines with you and to remind you of the effects they may have on your ability to drive safely. Be sure to request printed information about the side effects of any new medicine. Remind your pharmacist of other medicines and herbal supplements you are using. Pharmacists are available to answer your questions wherever you get your medicine. Many people buy medicines by mail. Mail-order pharmacies have a toll-free phone number and a pharmacist available to answer your questions.

Monitor yourself.

Learn to know how your body reacts to the medicine and supplements. Keep track of how you feel after you use the medicine. For example, do you feel sleepy? Is your vision blurry? Do you feel weak and slow? When do these things happen?

Let your healthcare professionals know what is happening.

No matter what your reaction is to using a medicine - good or bad - tell your healthcare professionals. Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines are powerful - that is why they work. Each person is unique. Two people may respond differently to the same medicine. If you are experiencing side effects, your healthcare professional needs to know this information in order to adjust your medicine. Another medicine may be prescribed that works better for you.

What if I have to cut back or give up driving?

You can keep your independence even if you have to cut back or give up on your driving due to your need to take a medicine. It may take planning on your part, but you will get to the places you want to go and the people you want to see. Consider:

  • rides with family and friends
  • taxi cabs
  • shuttle buses or vans
  • public buses, trains and subways
  • walking

Also, senior centers, religious, and other local service groups often offer transportation services for older adults in the community.

Source: FDA
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