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The impact of medications is often more complex than we realise and often it's an area to which we do not pay enough attention. The reality is that as we age, we are more likely to be taking some form of medication.
A recent survey conducted by COTA indicated:
- That 71% of those aged 50 and over were taking one (1) or more medications; and
- 57% of these people were taking two (2) or more medications.
Many medications have some effect on our ability to remain alert or slow down our reflexes. When we mix medications together, it's often difficult to predict the impact of those medications on alertness.
What is a Medication?
We are all aware of medications as prescriptions, but medications are not limited to prescriptions by a Doctor. Medications can include any or all of the following:
| Medication Source |
Example |
| Prescriptions from a Doctor or Specialist. |
Blood pressure medication, heart tablets.
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| Other treatments given by a Doctor, Dentist or Therapist. |
Anesthetic from a dentist, anti-depressants.
|
| "Over the counter" products from pharmacies and supermarkets. |
Painkillers such as aspirin, codeine and ibuprofen (such as Nurofen).
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| Natural therapies. |
Valerian, Skull-cap, St John's Wort.
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Influencing Factors
Factors than can influence the effect of your medications include:
Factor |
Consideration |
Dosage. |
How much of any medication we are taking will influence its impact on us.
|
When taken. |
Some medications have a higher impact when we first take them. For example, a tablet taken in the morning, may impact on our driving ability for several hours after taking it, but leave us safe to drive in the afternoon.
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Length of time taken. |
The length of time we have been taking a medication may affect its impact. For example, many medications have greater side effects, such as drowsiness in the first few days of taking them.
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| Effectiveness for your condition. |
If a medication is being taken for a condition that may impact on your road safety - e.g. falls, diabetes, heart conditions; then how safe it leaves you as a road user depends on it's effectiveness for your condition.
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Interactions with other medications. |
Even the experts sometimes have difficulty determining all of the possible interactions of one medication with another. For example, some prescription medications can result in painkillers tending to make us feel drowsy.
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Interactions with alcohol. |
Some medications are clear that alcohol should be avoided while we are taking them. With mixes of medications, the impact may be less clear. While older people are usually more responsible with alcohol than younger people, medications can greatly increase the impact of even small amounts of alcohol.
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Interactions with foods. |
Some medications interact with some foods. One of the common interactions is grapefruit with some blood pressure and/or heart medications.
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Storage of the medication. |
Many medications change their effectiveness with storage. Some must not be exposed to bright light. Many cannot withstand high temperatures. Never leave medications in a hot car. In summer, the temperature can exceed safety limits within minutes.
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Possible Affects of Medications
Some of the possible affects of medications can include:
- Dizziness.
- Light-headedness.
- Tremors.
- Slower reflexes.
- Drowsiness.
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- Disturbances of vision.
- Feelings of aggression.
- Nausea.
- Muscle weakness.
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If you experience any of these symptoms
DO NOT
Drive a Motor vehicle,
Ride a Bicycle,
Ride a Motorbike,
Drive a Motorised Scooter, or
Walk near roads.
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DO
Consult your Doctor
about such activities
as soon as practicable.
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Common Medications that can affect driving
- Sedatives.
- Anaesthetics.
- Antidepressants.
- Anti-anxiety treatments.
- Anti-epileptics.
- Blood Pressure treatments.
- Diabetic Medications.
- "Heart tablets".
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- Antihistamines.
- Antinauseants.
- Analgesics.
- Cough and Cold Treatments.
- Some Eye Drops.
- Some hormone treatments.
- Antacids.
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What to Do about Medications
Discuss the possible impacts of any medications with your health practitioner as appropriate. This may include your:
- GP or Prescribing Doctor.
- A Pharmacist.
- Alternative health practitioner.
Make sure that you tell them all of the medications you may be taking including prescription medicines, over the counter medications, treatments offered by an alternative health practitioner and self-treatments.
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