Danger of a Fatal Crash Caused by Drivers Impaired by Over the Counter Drugs
Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs are medications that can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription for a variety of ailments and illnesses. They are sold at places like supermarkets, corner drug stores, convenience marts, department stores, truck stops, and even dollar stores like Dollar Tree or Dollar General.
Commonplace OTC medicines include cold and flu medicines (e.g., NyQuil); allergy relief (e.g., Benadryl); and cough syrups (e.g., Robitussin). We have discussed the risks of drugged driving accidents involving NyQuil and Benadryl before; see:
- Impaired Driving in Indiana and Illinois: It’s More than Driving Drunk (NyQuil); and
- Dangers of Drug-Impaired Driving Accidents in Indiana and Illinois (Benadryl).
However, as the danger of serious and fatal drugged driving accidents continues to grow in this country, so does the importance of drivers understanding that the inexpensive remedies they buy at the grocery store or pick up at the gas station may impair their ability to operate a motor vehicle (as well as a truck, van, semi-truck, bus, or boat, motorcycle, or plane).
Many may assume that fatal drugged driving accidents are caused by drivers high on street drugs or impaired by prescription pain medications. Opioids (both illegal and legal) are a serious threat to public safety.
However, trusted name-brand and generic OTC drugs can also impair drivers. Either alone or in combination with other ingested items (other drugs, foods, etc.), OTC medications can be dangerous and deadly.
FDA Consumer Warning: OTC Drugged Driving Danger
In December 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a new warning about the risks of driving while under the influence of over-the-counter medications. See, FDA Consumer Update 12/17/2019, “Some Medicines and Driving Don’t Mix.”
The FDA asks the question, “If you’re taking a medication, is it safe to drive?” The agency then goes on to report that there are not only prescription drugs but nonprescription medications that can cause physical reactions making it dangerous to drive, as the driver suffers from side effects that can involve:
- sleepiness
- drowsiness
- blurred vision
- dizziness
- slowed movement
- fainting
- inability to focus
- inability to pay attention
- nausea
- excitability.
For some drivers, the FDA explains, the problem passes quickly. For others, the OTC medication can impact their system for several hours – even overnight.
FDA List of Medicines That May Impair Driving
The FDA warning provides a list of drugs that either alone or in combination with other medications may impact the driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. OTC drugs that endanger driving are listed in the FDA warning as follows:
- products containing codeine;
- some cold remedies and allergy products, such as antihistamines;
- sleeping pills;
- muscle relaxants;
- medicines that treat or control symptoms of diarrhea;
- medicines that treat or prevent symptoms of motion sickness; and
- diet pills, “stay awake” drugs, and other medications with stimulants (e.g., caffeine, ephedrine, and pseudoephedrine).
Cold Remedies and Allergy Relief: One Dose Equals DUI Level of Impairment
Of particular concern, according to AAA studies, are OTC drugs for cold remedies and allergy relief. This is because most contain diphenhydramine, which is known to severely impair the ability to follow at a safe and constant distance, maintain speed, and maintain lane position.
From the AAA: “One single dose of this medication [OTC diphenhydramine] can have the same effect on driving as being above the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration.”
Marijuana: FDA Warns About Cannabis-Derived Drugs and Drugged Driving
Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Compounds are available as both prescription and over the counter products in our part of the country. For more on marijuana and cannabis, read:
- Recreational Marijuana is Legal in Illinois: The Rising Danger of a Drugged Driving Crash
- Marijuana Accidents: Impaired Driving in Indiana and Illinois
- Marijuana Semi-Truck Crashes: Pot, Cannabis Products, and Commercial Truck Drivers.
In its latest warning, the FDA urges drivers to use caution if they intend to drive after ingesting any cannabis-related product, because it is known to have side effects that include sleepiness, sedation, and lethargy. For more, read: What You Need to Know about Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD.
Naming Names: FAA OTC Medication No-Go List for Pilots
However, it’s important for consumers to know the names of specific and popular OTC drugs that are dangerous to take before driving. The December 2019 FDA Consumer Warning does not detail specific OTC drugs that may impair driving by name (either brand name or generic). AAA doesn’t give specific product names, either.
However, a month earlier the FAA issued a detailed OTC Drug List for Pilots to consider before operating a plane, called the “Go or No Go List.” Included on the FAA Pilot “No Go” list for OTC Drugs are these popular OTC medications:
- Advil PM (contains diphenhydramine)
- Benadryl (contains diphenhydramine)
- ChlorTrimeton (contains chlorpheniramine)
- Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold (contains chlorpheniramine)
- Dayquil (contains dextromethorphan)
- Delsym (contains dextromethorphan)
- Dimetapp (contains brompheniramine)
- Imodium (contains loperamide)
- Nyquil (contains doxylamine)
- Tylenol PM (contains diphenhydramine)
- Unisom (contains doxylamine)
- Xyzal (contains levocetirizine)
- Zyrtec (contains cetirizine)
- Zzzquil (contains diphenhydramine).
Of course, all of these OTC medications are sold throughout Indiana and Illinois. They have been approved for public use by the FDA.
However, as the FAA warns pilots, just because a drug is “FDA-Approved” does not mean that it is not going to impair the person who takes the medication. The OTC drug may not be “compatible with flying or even driving.”
As explained by the FAA: “Some medications are not recommended (“NO GO”). If you choose to fly on medication, be certain that it will not impair safety. Do not simply hope for the best.”
Drugged Driving Accidents Caused by OTC-Impaired Drivers
Today, drunk-driving causes fewer fatal motor vehicle accidents in Indiana than drivers who are driving while under the influence of drugs. Drugged driving involving OTC medications is especially tragic, since many drivers may simply not understand the risks of their cold remedy or allergy relief tablet before getting behind the wheel. See, Drugged Drivers Cause More Fatal Crashes in Indiana than Drunk Drivers: New Indiana University Study.
After a serious or fatal car crash, it is important to investigate the causes of the accident in order to determine if the driver was impaired by any kind of medications, especially OTC drugs. Victims of these accidents may tragically find that the drugged driver simply did not understand that a trusted store-bought product could have as serious an impact upon human motor skills as several alcoholic beverages.
Both the laws of Indiana and Illinois provide avenues for justice to those who have suffered severe injury or death due to the involvement of OTC medications in the motor vehicle accident. Depending upon the circumstances, the drugged driver may also have claims for justice regarding the medications involved.
For more on drugged driving in Indiana and Illinois, see:
- Dangers of Drug-Impaired Driving Accidents in Indiana and Illinois;
- Developments in Fight against Drugged Driving Accidents; and
- Drugged Driver Accidents: December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.
Drivers driving while impaired by Over-the-Counter medications are a serious danger to everyone on the roads of Illinois and Indiana. Drugged driving is on the rise in this country, causing more fatal crashes than drunk drivers. Please be careful out there!
