Jun 26, 2006 11:39 pm US/Eastern
Driving & Medication Becoming A Dangerous Combo
Study: Over Counter Meds Rival Alcohol In Potency
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Experts say drivers on over-the-counter medication is a growing problem.
This upcoming holiday weekend, many drivers will have trouble behind the wheel because of the antihistamines in their over the counter allergy medication. Drowsiness, a side effect of some antihistamines, can send drivers for a loop.
Sinus sufferer Joi Marrano is one of the nearly 25 million Americans who take it daily. She explained it's not a gradual fatigue.
"It's one minute I'm wide awake and alert and the next minute I'm sitting there like a zombie," Joi said.
While there are no official statistics, it's estimated that drowsiness caused by allergy medications causes thousands of accidents and hundreds of deaths each year. The active ingredients in many over-the-counter allergy medications are antihistamines like Diphenhydramine and Chlorpheniramine Maleate, the same ingredients found in some over-the-counter sleep medications.
"Everybody should be aware of the problem, consumers who buy the products, those who sell the products," said John Weiler, Professor Emeritus for the University of Iowa.
He studied just how impaired motorists can become after taking just one antihistamine. Weiler said reaction times were noticeably slower, slower than those who had consumed alcohol.
"People didn't know they were impaired," said Weiler.
In a statement, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which represents the leading manufacturers and distributors of nonprescription over-the-counter medicines, told CBS 2 News these products "are real medicines with real benefits when used according to directions and real risks when misused."
But safety consultant Lynn Stebbins said fine-print warning labels are just not enough.
"People tend to think because a medication is over the counter that it's safe and there aren't any side effects," Stebbins said.
The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing recommendations for clearer warning labels. But as you hit the road this summer, you should know in some states like New Jersey, if you're caught driving under the influence of medication, you are held to the same DUI laws.
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