Many Florida residents assume that it’s only dangerous to drive when taking illicit drugs or alcohol. While that’s absolutely true, they may not realize that it’s also dangerous to drive if they take certain OTC drugs, herbal medicines, or prescribed medications. There are certain medicines that can put drivers at risk if they take them while driving. Knowing what some of these medications and drugs are may help cut down on the number of car accidents.
What are some medications and prescribed drugs that could make driving dangerous
Certain types of antihistamines should never be taken while driving. There are non-drowsy versions of antihistamines, but people sometimes take regular antihistamines because that’s all that’s available. If they then try to drive, they’re at risk of doing so while sleepy. Some people also find it difficult to see when they take antihistamines because the drug dries up their eyes’ tear ducts.
Antidepressants like Nefazodone or Trazodone can make many people feel sleepy or groggy. These medications can also make people feel like things are moving very slowly, a feeling that slows down their reaction time. These antidepressants should be taken by people who don’t need to drive. Anti-anxiety medications like Xanax can also cause similar reactions in people who take them. Some people think they’ll be ok if they take “natural” relaxants like valerian or melatonin, but those can cause people to feel sleepy or groggy as well. This then leads to motor vehicle accidents.
People are aware that narcotic pain relievers like opioids can cause impairment, but they may not be aware that OTC painkillers like ibuprofen may cause issues since they make people relax to relieve pain. If they relax too much, their reaction time slows. This could end up causing an accident.
Where can people get help if they’ve been involved in accidents?
People who’ve been in car accidents may benefit by working with attorneys who have experience handling these types of accident cases. They may be able to help them figure out next steps regarding getting their lives back on track.
