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SATURDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthScoutNews) -- We hear plenty about the effects of alcohol on driving, but during cold and flu season we also need to worry about how antihistamines impair our road skills. Experts say the problem stems from over-the-counter medications; they may stop your nose from running, but they bring your alertness level down a few notches as well. "Antihistamines are really among the most notorious in causing drowsiness," says Dr. Charles Ruchalski, an assistant professor at Temple University's School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia. Text Continues Below
Products such as Benadryl, which contains diphenhydramine, induce a high level of sedation that not only can cause dizziness and make driving or operating machinery dangerous, but they can be exacerbated by even a small amount of alcohol, explains Ruchalski. "You may normally be used to drinking maybe one or two glasses of wine, for instance, and feeling just fine, but if you are taking an antihistamine, it could make some people feel almost three times as drowsy," he says. While everyone can be affected by the sedation of antihistamines, like alcohol, the ingredients can have varying effects on people according to their size, explains Dr. Lloyd Van Winkle, an associate clinical professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. "The volume of distribution, meaning the size of the person, affects the dosage. So, smaller people will only need smaller doses, and if that dose isn't adjusted for weight, you'll see an even greater effect," he says. The National Transportation Safety Board says medications are a seriously under-recognized threat because drivers are rarely tested for over-the-counter drugs after a crash. According to the board, there have been more than 150 accidents since 1987 that were partially caused by over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Page: 1 | 2 | Next >>
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