Are you safe to drive? Information for drivers taking medicines
Many substances cause effects that may make you unsafe to drive. These include prescribed medicines, medicines you buy without a prescription, herbal products, alcohol and other recreational drugs. Combining these increases your chances of having a crash.
Taking the following increases your chance of dying in a crash while driving:
Medicines for the following health
conditions may make you unsafe to drive:
» Pain
» Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
» Heart or blood pressure problems
» Allergies (antihistamines)
» Sleep
» Epilepsy (seizures)
» Nausea or vomiting
Check for any of these symptoms:
» Feeling drowsy, sleepy, dizzy or weak
» Slowed reactions
» Confused or unable to focus
» Blurred vision
» Trouble speaking or slurred speech
» Headache
» Feeling ‘wired’
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist
or nurse about all the medicines or
substances you are taking, so they can
help you stay safe on the road.
Ask them how long the effects last.
Some medicines taken at night may
affect you the next morning.
Check if it is okay to drink alcohol
while you are taking the medicine.
It is important to check how you’re
feeling before you drive, especially if
you have:
» just started a new medicine
» increased your dose
You need to make sure you feel safe to
drive, before you get in the car.
Hels, T. et al. (2011). Risk of injury by driving with alcohol and
other drugs. Project No. TREN-05-FP6TR-S07.61320-518404-DRUID