Driving when you are taking

medications.

For most people, driving represents freedom,

control and independence. Driving enables

most people to get to the places they want or

need to go. For many people, driving is

important economically – some drive as part of

their job or to get to and from work.

Driving is a complex skill. Our ability to drive

safely can be affected by changes in our

physical, emotional and mental condition. The

goal of this brochure is to help you and your

health care professional talk about how your

medicine may affect your ability to drive safely.

How can medications affect

my driving?

People use medicines for a variety of reasons,

including:

◆ allergies

◆ anxiety

◆ cold

◆ depression

◆ diabetes

◆ heart and cholesterol conditions

◆ high blood pressure

◆ muscle spasms

◆ pain

◆ Parkinson’s disease

◆ schizophrenia

Medicines include medications that your doctor

prescribes and over-the-counter medications

that you buy without a doctor’s prescription.

Many individuals also take herbal supplements.

Some of these medicines and supplements may

cause a variety of reactions that may make it

more difficult for you to drive a car safely.

These reactions may include:

◆ sleepiness

◆ blurred vision

◆ dizziness

◆ slowed movement

◆ fainting

◆ inability to focus or pay attention

◆ nausea

Often people use more than one medicine at a

time. The combination of different medicines

can cause problems for some people. This is

especially true for older adults because they use

more medicines than any other age group. Due

to changes in the body as people age, older

adults are more prone to medicine related

problems. The more medicines you use, the

greater your risk that your medicines will affect

your ability to drive safely. To help avoid

problems, it is important that at least once a

year you talk to your doctor, nurse, or

pharmacist about all the medicines – both

prescription and over-the-counter – you are

using. Also let your doctor know what herbal

supplements, if any, you are using. Do this even

if your medicines and supplements are not

currently causing you a problem.

Can I still drive safely if I am

taking medications?

Yes, most people can drive safely if they are

using medications. It depends on the effect

those medicines – both prescription and overthe-counter – have on your driving. In some

cases you may not be aware of the effects. But,

in many instances, your doctor can help to

minimize the negative impact of your medicines

on your driving in several ways. Your doctor

may be able to:

◆ Adjust the dose;

◆ Adjust the timing of doses or when you

use the medicine;

◆ Add an exercise or nutrition program to

lessen the need for medicine; and

◆ Change the medicine to one that causes

less drowsiness.

What can I do if I am taking

medications?

Talk to your doctor honestly.

When your doctor prescribes a medicine for

you, ask about side effects. How should you

expect the medicine to affect your ability to

drive? Remind your doctor of other medicines

– both prescription and over-the-counter – and

herbal supplements you are using, especially if

you see more than one doctor. Talking honestly

with your doctor also means telling the doctor

if you are not using all or any of the prescribed

medicines. Do not stop using your medicine

unless your doctor tells you to.

Ask your doctor if you should drive —

especially when you first take a medication.

Using a new medicine can cause you to react in

a number of ways. It is recommended that you

do not drive when you first start using a new

medicine until you know how that drug affects

you. You also need to be aware that some overthe-counter medicines and herbal supplements

can make it difficult for you to drive safely.

Talk to your pharmacist.

Get to know your pharmacist. Ask the

pharmacist to go over your medicines with you

and to remind you of effects they may have on

your ability to drive safely. Be sure to request

printed information about the side effects of

any new medicine. Remind your pharmacist of

other medicines and herbal supplements you

are using. Pharmacists are available to answer

questions wherever you get your medicine.

Many people buy medicines by mail. Mailorder pharmacies have a toll-free number you

can call and a pharmacist available to answer

your questions.

Monitor yourself.

Learn to know how your body reacts to the

medicine and supplements. Keep track of how

you feel after you use the medicine. For

example, do you feel sleepy? Is your vision

blurry? Do you feel weak and slow? When do

these things happen?
Medications

Driving

When

You Are Taking

Let your doctor and pharmacist know what

is happening.

No matter what your reaction is to using a

medicine – good or bad – tell your doctor and

pharmacist. Both prescription and over-thecounter medicines are powerful—that’s why

they work. Each person is unique. Two people

may respond differently to the same medicine.

If you are experiencing side effects, the doctor

needs to know that in order to adjust your

medicine. Your doctor can help you find a

medicine that works best for you.

What if I have to cut back or

give up driving?

You can keep your independence even if you

have to cut back or give up on your driving due

to your need to use a medicine. It may take

planning ahead on your part, but it will get you

to the places you want to go and the people

you want to see. Consider:

◆ rides with family and friends;

◆ taxi cabs;

◆ shuttle buses or vans;

◆ public buses, trains and subways; and

◆ walking.

Also, senior centers, religious, and other local

service groups often offer transportation

services for older adults in the community.

Who can I call for help with

transportation?

Call the ElderCare Locator at

1-800-677-1116 and ask for the phone

number of your local Office on Aging, or

go to their website at www.eldercare.gov.

Contact your regional transit authority

to find out which bus or train to take.

Easter Seals Project ACTION

(Accessible Community Transportation

In Our Nation) can direct you to

transportation resources near you.

Call 1-800-659-6428 or visit online at

www.projectaction.org.

Where do I find out more

about medications?

Your first step is to talk with your health care

professional. You also can contact the:

◆ U.S. Food and Drug Administration at

1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)

or visit online at www.fda.gov/cder

You also can get a copy of the “Age Page

On Older Drivers” from the National

Institute on Aging by calling

1-800-222-2225, or by going to their

website at www.niapublications.org/

Wear your safety belt

Always wear your safety belt when you are

driving or riding in a car. Make sure that every

person who is riding with you also is buckled

up. Wear your safety belt even if your car has

air bags.

RAPED

MT ENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES • USA

U.S. Department of Health

and Human Services

Food and Drug

Administration