Road safety is not only about following traffic rules, but also about controlling your condition. Some medications can negatively affect your ability to drive, slowing down your reactions or causing drowsiness. "UNIAN" told what medications you should not take while driving so as not to put yourself and others at risk.
Medications that you should not drink while driving - a list
The list of medications that are best avoided while driving includes:
Sedative drugs. This includes medications with a sedative effect: valerian, corvalol, phenazepam and other benzodiazepine-based drugs. They cause drowsiness, slow down reactions and reduce concentration, which makes them prohibited for drivers.
Antihistamines. Medicines such as Suprastin and Diphenhydramine are known for their side effect of drowsiness. If you need to relieve an allergic reaction, give preference to new generation drugs that do not affect the nervous system.
Analgesics and painkillersSome analgesics, such as codeine-containing drugs (e.g., solpadeine), can not only cause drowsiness, but also show the presence of alcohol or drugs in the body during a breathalyzer test.
Cold and fever reducersDrugs containing pseudoephedrine (for example, Theraflu or Coldrex) can cause excitement or increase blood pressure, which is undesirable for drivers.
It is worth noting separately that the answer to the question of whether it is possible to drink Nurofen and get behind the wheel depends on its composition. If the drug contains only ibuprofen, its use is permissible, but with caution - side effects, such as dizziness, are possible.
Medications prohibited while driving - what else to consider
Prohibited drugs while driving also include:
- antidepressants and drugs for the treatment of anxiety disorders;
- narcotic analgesics;
- medicines to treat epilepsy, such as carbamazepine;
- chemotherapy drugs.
If you are looking for information about which medications affect a breathalyzer, here is what you should know: the results of the device can be changed by drugs containing alcohol or codeine. For example, Corvalol, valerian tincture, and even some cough syrups can show the presence of alcohol in the body.
Therefore, always read the instructions for any medication. It should contain information about the effect of the medication on driving.
Also avoid taking medications that cause drowsiness, decreased concentration, or slowed reactions.
If you are not sure which medications you should not take while driving, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Remember: safe driving requires not only skill, but also responsibility. Carefully check which medications you should not take while driving to avoid trouble on the road.