Drugs by design alter our body’s chemistry. Both prescription and over-the-counter drugs must be approved for public use by the Food and Drug Administration after development by pharmaceutical companies.
During the approval process these drugs are tested for any reactions and side effects before going on the store shelves or into the pharmacy.
The side effects that are recorded vary from drug to drug and may include:
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Muscle ache
- Nausea
- Slowed reaction time
Each one of these side effects alter a driver’s performance to one degree or another.
The complete list of possible drug-related side effects is endless and can vary depending on many factors including a person’s weight, height and age. It is never safe to assume that you will not react differently or will not be adversely affected after taking some types of drugs.
All legal drugs are required by federal law to carry warning labels. When issuing prescription, the pharmacist must inform you how and when to take the drug and what to do if there are side effects. There are some drugs with warning labels that carry specific instructions, such as: “Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking this medication.”
It is your responsibility as a driver to read the label of any medication you take and always know what medications are in your system. Make sure before you get behind the wheel that you are thinking and moving in an inhibited manner as we often times do not notice the side effects of medications until it is too late.
