Adoption 101: The Legal Fundamentals

Common Medications That May Impair Your Driving

29 May 2018

Brayden Miles

Many people get arrested for DUI (driving under the influence) after drinking alcohol or taking other controlled substances. However, it's also possible to be arrested for DUI if your driving has been impaired by a medicinal drug. Here are some of the legal drugs that may lead to impaired driving and a DUI charge:

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are drugs meant for treating depression in its various forms. Unfortunately, side effects of most antidepressants include drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, and blurred vision, all of which impair driving. It's important to note that you may have to take your antidepressants for a long time because they work when used consistently and they don't cure depression, they only deal with the symptoms. So if you haven't been taking your antidepressant for very long, it's possible the side effects may just be taking a little longer to manifest.

Antihistamines

Your risk of causing a car accident increases if you are drowsy, dizzy, confused, or have blurred vision. This is because you may not realize road dangers in time, and even if you do your responses may not be fast enough to avoid an accident. Unfortunately, these are the exact side effects you may experience if you are on antihistamines (medication for managing allergy symptoms).

Sleeping Pills

It may seem obvious that the combination of sleeping pills and driving is dangerous. However, many people think that this is only the case if they take the sleeping pills and immediately get behind the wheels, and that they will be safe after sleeping through the night. Unfortunately, the effects of sleeping pills don't end the minute you wake up. You may still be drowsy from the residual effects of the pills by the time you wake up, and your driving may still be impaired.

Decongestants

Do you think it is safe for you to drive if you are experiencing tremors, seizures, dizziness, and anxiety? Unfortunately, these are some of the potential side effects you may have to contend with if you are taking decongestants for your stuffed nose.

Pain Relievers

The side effects of pain relievers depend on the exact pain reliever you are taking. For example, pain relievers containing opioids cause side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness, which are obviously not good for a driver.

As you can see, many prescription or OTC drugs can cause symptoms that may lead to a DUI. It's your responsibility to ensure that doesn't happen by knowing the side effects of any medication you are taking and not taking the wheel after taking a drug that impairs driving. If you are pulled over for a DUI, consult a lawyer, such as those at Thomas & Associates, PC, for your defense.

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About Me

If you've decided that you want to adopt a child, the first thing you should do is reach out to a family law attorney. While it may not seem logical to get an attorney involved from the start, it's important that you protect yourself legally from the beginning. After making the decision to adopt, I have been through the process several times. I created this site to help other adoptive parents understand what they can expect from the entire process, including the legal support you're likely to need. I hope this information helps you feel more confident in this major life decision.