Could Medications Pose as Great a Danger as Alcohol?

Older drivers who have heart disease, arthritis, have had a stroke, or are taking certain kinds of medications are more likely to become involved in car crashes, according to a new report.

"For clinicians, knowing what medical conditions and medications are associated with crashes may provide the groundwork for discussing issues of driving safety with potentially at-risk patients," according to lead author Dr. Gerald McGwin of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Researchers looked at the driving records of more than 900 adults over age 65, of whom 426 had been involved in crashes in 1996.

The researchers also interviewed the drivers, asking them about their medical conditions and medications.

Drivers taking the following medications were found to be at increased risk of being involved in an accident:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - 70% increase
• Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors - 60% increase
• Anticoagulants - 160% increase
• Benzodiazepines - 420% increase

In the case of arthritis, the authors suggest that pain and joint damage may impact negatively on their ability to drive. "Joint and musculature problems may result in reduced range of motion and increased reaction times," they explain. "General discomfort and pain and diminished muscle mass and strength may lead to excessive fatigue and distraction while driving."

These conditions and medications "may not only affect driving performance but also impair judgment and reaction time," the report indicates.

Being aware of the conditions and drugs that increase the risk of crashes may lead doctors to discuss driving with their patients, and also allow for better assessment of potential risk, researchers suggest.

American Journal of Epidemiology September, 2000;152:424-431.

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

The fact that prescription and even over-the-counter medications can increase the risk of automobile accidents is something that is not widely appreciated. This study only analyzed a small group and looked at a small number of medications. I am sure that many, many more drugs have similar effects. This is another example of death and injury induced by the traditional drug-based paradigm. If you add the drug-induced deaths from car accidents to the other iatrogenic (doctor or drug induced) ones that have been previously reported, and lump them all together, they would likely become the #1 or #2 leading cause of death in this country. It is important to remember that people on many medications pose a threat, not just to themselves, but to others as well, when they get behind the wheel of a car, truck, or other vehicle. Additionally, there is likely also an increased risk for people on many medications to operate certain types of equipment, such as used in construction. Maybe there is a need for regulations prohibiting people taking certain drugs from driving. While this may cause tremendous inconveinince and hardship for a great many people, I think it is more important to keep our roads safe and prevent the loss of innocent lives. Related Articles: Over 300 Drugs Can Damage the Lungs Doctors Are The Third Leading Cause of Death in the US, Causing 250,000 Deaths Every Year Medical Mistakes Kill 100,000 per year US Health Care System Most Expensive in the World