Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Sangeeta Tandon, PharmD Candidate 2011
University of Iowa College of Pharmacy
Prepared during Consumer Health Information Corporation Clerkship
August 19, 2010

“I can drive! I chiefed, not drank!!” A common phrase heard on college campuses everywhere. We have all heard of drunk driving but have you heard of
“drugged driving”? This occurrence is becoming more and more common. Many medicines have dangerous side effects, including blurry vision, dizziness and sleepiness. These can lead to poor or reduced motor skills, reaction time and judgment when operating an auto, motorcycle or bicycle.

The 2007 National Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers by the National Highway and Safety Administration, reported that nearly 1 out of 5 weekend, nighttime drivers tested positive for prescription, illegal or over-the-counter medicines. The issue becomes a tough balance between people needing their medicines and protecting the public’s health .

“Drugged driving” is a leading public health concern because it puts both the driver and others at risk. The risks of drugged driving have even grabbed the attention of President Obama’s top drug policy advisor, Richard Kerlikowske. He has a goal of reducing driving accidents by 10 percent over the next five years. The government has a clear message when it comes to drunk driving and wants to get the same message out for drugged driving.

Drugs and the Law

States differ in the way they define drugged driving. Iowa is one of 15 states where it is illegal to operate a motorized vehicle if there is any drug or parts of the drug in a driver’s blood. Unlike alcohol, there is no practical nor legal way to link the inability to drive to the level of drugs.

The penalty for drugged driving or refusing a drug test varies by state. Lieutenant Bill Campbell of the Iowa City Police Department states, “Weaving, wide turns, driving too slow, stopping too long at stop signs or stop lights or any other unusual driving behaviors are some of the traits we look for.” He states that many of the behaviors of drinking and driving are the same but when looking mainly at drugs, the urine test has become the gold standard. “When alcohol and drugs are both in the equation, we often do not test specifically for the drug, because the time and cost it would take—however, when it’s just a drug, an overnight urine test will often be done.”

Below are some drugs and their commonly experienced side effects.

How to Avoid “Drug-Driving”

Here are some of the drugs you might want to take extra precautions with if you plan to drive a car or ride a motorcycle or bicycle:

• Avoid illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, etc., unless prescribed for medical conditions.

• Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of your medications. Know the effects of your medicines on your body before you start driving. Below are some adverse effects commonly associated with some drugs. If you start a new medication, know the common reactions to the drugs.

Side Effect	Drugs that MAY cause this side effect	Managing Side Effects
Dizziness	Antidepressants, prostate enlargement medications, water pills, blood pressure medications, sexually enhancing drugs, alcohol, over-the-counter medications known to cause low blood pressure, seizure medications, sleep aids, drugs that treat mental illnesses, powerful pain medications, over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines or acid-reflux drugs.	If you feel tired or lightheaded, do NOT drive. Get a designated driver. It might be a good idea to ask a healthcare professional if you can take the medication at bedtime. Get up slowly from sitting or lying positions.
Drowsiness	Antihistamines, medicines that treat anxiety, blood pressure medicines, alcohol, sleep aids, powerful pain medicines, seizure medicines or antidepressant drugs	If you know it is drug-related, you may want to speak with your pharmacist or physician about other drugs in the same class of drugs. Often there are other drugs in the same class that may have different or fewer side effects. If you get drowsy, do NOT drive. Get a designated driver or take naps.
Blurred vision	Antidepressants, eye ointments, seizure medications, sleep aids, drugs that treat mental illnesses	If you have blurred vision, do NOT drive. Get an eye exam to see if the reason for your blurred vision is in fact the drug or may be an underlying cause. Keep in mind eye ointments can be the cause for blurry vision, so eye drops may be better suited. If dryness is a problem, ask a physician or pharmacist which eye drops can decrease dryness. Dryness is often associated with blurry vision.

• Know your drug interactions. Medications can interact with each other causing impairment that may not happen with one drug alone. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or physician if you have questions.

• Carefully read the medication instructions that come with the drug and the bottle. Many times those who are in drugged driving accidents plead that they didn’t know about warnings. Prosecutors have used and won cases claiming that there are warning labels on medicine bottles.

Think Before You Drive

Consumers need to realize the importance of taking drugs whether it is illicit, prescribed or over the counter. They should twice about getting on the road. There has to be a balance of protecting yourself but also protecting others on the road.



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