Patient Education - Pendidikan Pesakit

MEDICINES AND DRIVING

Both over-the counter and prescription medications can affect a person’s driving ability. Drugs that impair driving skills are those which can cause drowsiness, affect concentration, reduce reaction times and impair overall driving ability. Driving under the influence of drugs or medication is a serious offence and all drivers should be aware of the possible dangers.

Below is a list of some common medication which can cause drowsiness but there are also other medication that has this side effect. Therefore, read the patient information leaflet or label carefully, and also ask your pharmacist for advice.

Medicine	Example	Side-Effect
Cough & Cold Remedies	Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) Actifed (Tripolidine + Pseudoephedrine)	Some day or night-time remedies may have a sedative effect.
Sleeping Tablets	Valium (Diazepam)	It remains in the body for several hours and will probably affect driving skills even on the next morning.
Tranquillisers/Antidepressants & Anti-Epilepsy Medicines	Largactil (Chlorpromazine) Prozac (Fluoxetine) Dilantin (Phenytoin) Tegretol (Carbamazepine)	These can make you unusually drowsy and can affect driving skill on the same day or the day after.
Antihistamines/Allergy Treatments & Travel Sickness Pills	Piriton (Chlorpheniramine) Dramamine (Dimenhydrate)	These may make you drowsy and if so, you shouldn't drive for several hours after taking them. They can also impair your vision and make you more susceptible to "dazzle".
Painkillers	Tramal (Tramadol) DF118 (Dihydrocodeine tartarate) Codeine Phosphate	Some can make you feel tired and less alert and others act as a stimulant, which can affect your driving skills.