Medicines that affect driving
Some medicines can reduce your ability to drive safely. They can affect your:
- alertness
- concentration
- mood
- coordination
- reaction times.
Prescribed drugs
Many types of medicines can affect driving.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your medications could make your driving less safe. Different drugs can interact with each other so make sure you tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medications that you’re taking.
Some examples of medications you should ask your doctor or pharmacist about are:
- painkillers
- anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications
- allergy and cough/cold medicines
- diabetes medications
- blood pressure medications
- sleeping pills.
Medicinal cannabis
You must not drive while taking medicinal cannabis. Read more about how medicinal cannabis affects driving and why it’s illegal.
Over-the-counter drugs
Some over-the-counter medicines can affect your driving ability, such as cold and flu tablets.
If you take medication and are considering driving, ensure you read your medicine labels carefully and follow any instructions.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how the drugs you are taking interact and if they will affect your driving.
Warning signs to look for
Watch for any effects while you’re taking or changing your medications.
Don’t drive if you have blurred or double vision or are feeling:
- drowsy
- aggressive
- dizzy
- nauseous
- light-headed
- shaky.