Some medicines can affect your driving ability. Alcohol in combination with a medicine can make the effect even worse. This can happen with medicines prescribed by your doctor and those bought without a prescription.

To drive safely:

• Read your medicine labels carefully and obey the directions and warnings – they are there for your protection.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist if medicines will affect driving, and if they do, ask for one that doesn’t.
• If you are likely to be affected by medicines, take public transport, a taxi, or ask a friend or relative to drive

Warning signs
Labelling of medicines
Questions for your pharmacist or doctor
Avoid a dangerous driving situation

Warning signs
Early symptoms of being affected by medicines include:

• Drowsiness
• Undue aggression
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Light-headedness
• Blurred or double vision
• Shakiness

Labelling of medicines
Look out for the following warning labels on medicines that indicate they may affect driving:

Questions for your pharmacist or doctor
Some combinations of medicines, including natural health remedies can affect your driving ability. If there is anything about your medicines that you don’t understand, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Your pharmacist can also give you printed information on most medicines.

You may wish to ask some of the following questions:

• How and when is the best way to use this medicine?
• What food, drinks, or activities should I avoid when taking this medicine?
• Will this medicine interact with any others I am currently taking?
• Are there any side effects that may affect my driving?

 

Avoid a dangerous driving situation
Avoid driving if you feel that medicines or illness are affecting your driving. Other medicines can often be used instead. So consult your doctor.

• Be especially careful when starting to take a new medicine or an increased dose.
• Avoid taking alcohol and medicine at the same time.
• Avoid taking more than your prescribed dose.
• Never use other people’s medicine.
• Avoid driving if you have missed a dose of your prescribed medicine; your condition could make your driving dangerous.
• Don’t allow any condition to go untreated.

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