Some drugs and driving a dangerous duo



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SATURDAY, July 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) – Be careful of any medications you take before driving.

Most medications do not affect your ability to drive, but some prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause side effects that make driving dangerous, warns the US Food and Drug Administration.

These side effects may include: drowsiness / drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, slowing of movement, fainting, inability to concentrate or pay attention, nausea and excitability.

Some medications can affect your driving ability soon after, but the effects of others can last for hours or even tomorrow.

Some drug labels warn against using heavy machinery when taking these, and this includes driving a car, the FDA said in a press release.

There are a number of types of medications – or a combination of these – that can make driving or using any type of vehicle, be it a car, a bus, a train, or an airplane, unsafe. or a boat.

These drugs include: opioid badgesics; prescription medications for anxiety (eg, benzodiazepines); anti-epileptic drugs (antiepileptics); antipsychotics; some antidepressants; products containing codeine; some cold remedies and anti-allergy products such as antihistamines (prescription and over-the-counter); sleeping tablets; muscle relaxants; medicines to treat or control the symptoms of diarrhea or motion sickness; diet pills; "stay awake", drugs and other drugs containing stimulants (such as caffeine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine).

In addition, never drive when you have combined drugs and alcohol, the FDA pointed out.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the side effects of medications, including those that interfere with driving, and / or ask about the side effects of any new medication.

To manage or minimize the side effects of medications that may affect driving, your health care provider may be able to adjust your dose, adjust when you are taking the drug, or change the medication to one that causes less pain. side effects, said the FDA.

Always follow the drug's directions for use and read the warnings on the package or on the documents provided by the pharmacy.

Inform your health care provider of all health products you take, including prescription, over-the-counter and herbal products, and any reactions you have.

Do not stop using a medication except on the advice of your doctor, the FDA said.

More information

The US Food and Drug Administration has more on drugs and driving.

SOURCE: US Food and Drug Administration, press release July 18, 2019

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