Some people may have heard that consuming certain foods can cause a "drunk driving" state, but this effect can be eliminated by rinsing the mouth. However, after taking certain medications, it is definitely not advisable to drive. So, what medications should be avoided while driving?
Sedative-hypnotic drugs
Barbiturates often have side effects such as drowsiness, sleepiness, fatigue, dizziness. High doses can cause ataxia, temporary amnesia, and consciousness disorders. These side effects can impair a driver's judgment and reaction abilities, leading to traffic accidents.
Antihistamines
First-generation antihistamines, also known as sedating antihistamines, include diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine. They can cause varying degrees of dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, attention deficit, and delayed reactions. If taken in excessive amounts, these adverse effects can be more pronounced or exacerbated. Drivers should avoid them.
Antispasmodic drugs
Atropine, hyoscine hydrobromide, and belladonna alkaloids can all potentially induce adverse reactions such as dizziness, blurred vision, decreased visual acuity, and attention deficit.
Antipsychotic drugs
Both typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs have certain sedative effects and can cause varying degrees of dizziness, vertigo, blurred vision, decreased visual acuity, fatigue, drowsiness, attention deficit, and delayed reactions. If taken in excessive amounts, these adverse effects can be more pronounced or exacerbated. Drivers should avoid them.
Antitussive drugs
Antitussive drugs such as codeine, dextromethorphan, and dihydrocodeine can cause adverse reactions such as dizziness, headache, drowsiness, and fatigue. They should not be taken while driving.
Analgesic drugs
Analgesic drugs such as morphine, codeine, and dextropropoxyphene can cause adverse reactions such as dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, drowsiness, attention deficit, and pupillary constriction, which can impair a driver's judgment and reaction abilities.
Ulcer treatment drugs
Omeprazole can cause adverse reactions such as dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, drowsiness, numbness in the lower limbs, and sensory abnormalities. Cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine can cause adverse reactions such as dizziness, fatigue, and drowsiness, which can impair a driver's judgment and reaction abilities, leading to traffic accidents.
Angina pectoris drugs
Taking angina pectoris drugs such as nitroglycerin and diltiazem can often cause adverse reactions such as headache, dizziness, tinnitus, and hypotension. Taking excessive doses can also cause bradycardia, conduction block, and even hypotensive syncope. Therefore, they should be used with caution when driving.
Antibiotics
The use of aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin, streptomycin, and kanamycin often causes adverse reactions such as headache, tinnitus, hearing loss, blurred vision, and tremors. Therefore, they should be used with caution when driving.
Antihypertensive and antidiabetic drugs
The impact of antihypertensive and antidiabetic drugs on driving is fundamentally different from drugs that affect the nervous system. Antihypertensive drugs such as nitrendipine, labetalol, and nifedipine can cause adverse reactions such as drowsiness, headache, dizziness, and hypotension, which are not conducive to driving safety.
Various antidiabetic drugs have the potential to cause hypoglycemic reactions, with insulin and sulfonylureas being the most common. Problems are more likely to occur when these drugs are taken on an empty stomach. If antidiabetic drugs are used improperly, drug-induced hypoglycemic reactions, such as palpitations, dizziness, sweating, and collapse, can affect driving safety.
