A recent study focusing on the driving abilities of seniors suggests that common medications, including antidepressants, sleep aids, and painkillers, may negatively affect their driving skills.
The study, which tracked older adults for up to a decade and subjected them to annual road tests, found that those using specific types of medications were at an elevated risk of failing their driving tests.
The medications scrutinized were antidepressants, sedative/hypnotics (sleep medications), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Seniors using these drugs were nearly three times more likely to fail or receive a “marginal” grade on their driving tests compared to non-users.
While the findings do not definitively implicate the medications as the culprit, Dr. David Carr, the lead researcher and a specialist in geriatric medicine at Washington University’s School of Medicine in St. Louis, pointed out that it’s challenging to precisely link a specific medication to reduced driving skills.
Other factors, such as the medical condition being treated or other medications being taken, complicate this relationship.
Despite these challenges, after accounting for variables like participants’ medical conditions, cognitive skills, visual impairments, and socio-economic status, certain medications still correlated with subpar driving performance.
Many of these medications have known effects on the central nervous system and can induce side effects, like drowsiness and dizziness, which might impact driving.
Need for Awareness and Proactivity Among Patients and Doctors
Carr emphasized the importance of healthcare providers and patients paying attention to these potential side effects.
However, in the hustle of often time-restricted doctor visits, discussions about side effects of medications might get neglected.
Carr insists that patients need to take an active role: inquiring about possible side effects when receiving new prescriptions and communicating with healthcare providers if they suspect that a medication is causing sluggishness or other relevant symptoms.
While cautioning against patients independently discontinuing their medications, Carr underscores the necessity of discussing any changes with a healthcare provider.
Jake Nelson, director of traffic safety advocacy and research at the nonprofit AAA, concurred, adding that doctors might be able to adjust medication types, doses, or administration times.
He also noted the importance of the pharmaceutical industry in addressing the issue, suggesting that risks related to driving impairment, often concealed in the “fine print,” should be more prominently communicated to users.
The Study in Detail
Published in JAMA Network Open on September 29, the study involved 198 adults, averaging 73 years old, none of whom exhibited signs of cognitive impairment at the outset.
Participants underwent annual check-ups, including a road test with a professional driving instructor, for up to 10 years (approximately five years on average).
During this time, 35% scored a failing or marginal grade on their road test at some point.
The increased risk was particularly notable for seniors on antidepressants or sleep medications, with 16% to 17% demonstrating poor road performance per year overall, compared to 6% to 7% of their peers not using those medications.
Interestingly, Carr pointed out that no link was found between antihistamines or anticholinergic medications and seniors’ driving performance, despite the known drowsy side effects, especially of antihistamines.
Carr concluded that regardless of the medications seniors may be taking, they should communicate with their doctor about any warning signs like drowsiness, slowed reactions, or any on-road incidents, to ensure both their safety and the safety of others on the road.
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The research findings can be found in JAMA Network Open.
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