# Counter Medication Can Affect Driving | Attorney Brian White ![How Over-the-Counter Medication Can Affect Your Driving](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/How-Over-the-Counter-Medication-Can-Affect-Your-Driving-300x200.jpg) Because over-the-counter medications aren’t controlled by doctors, many of us think of them as harmless. However, many of these medications can impact your ability to drive and driving while on certain medications can even constitute as [driving under the influence](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/can-i-get-a-dui-for-drugged-driving.html). Your pharmacist will most likely tell you which medications will affect your driving ability, but educating yourself on which medications impair your abilities is ultimately your responsibility. Many of these medications stay in your system long after you took them. Here are a few common medications that can cause impairment and may increase the chance of a [car accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/): - Medicines used to “dry up” the mucosal membranes are known as antihistamines. These medications work by blocking your body’s immune response, or histamines. These histamines trigger allergy-like symptoms when activated: runny nose, watery eyes, or coughing. The active ingredients in these medications, like diphenhydramine (found in Benadryl), can make you feel very unfocused and drowsy. They can also slow your reaction time, making it dangerous to drive. - A less commonly known ingredient of antidiarrheals, Loperamide (found in Imodium AD) works by slowing the movement in your intestines. While this is great for stopping an overactive bowel, it slows your brain too and results in mild impairment while driving. - Medication used to treat nausea and dizziness can cause impairment as well. Medications like Dramamine and Bonine contain ingredients that cause drowsiness and slowed reaction time. - Herbal Supplements. Many herbal medications cause slowed coordination, judgment, and attention. Herbal sedatives like Valerian and Kava Kava can cause heavy drowsiness and muscle weakness, while anti-depressants like St. John’s Wort can cause dizziness. Even mild calming supplements like chamomile can cause sleepiness and sedation. Additionally, many OTC medications can react with each other or with prescription medications, causing unwanted side effects. Be sure to talk to your pharmacist about all other medications you are taking before buying. He or she will be able to tell you if there are any interactions. If you are taking medications for any of the following conditions, they will most likely cause reactions: - Anxiety - Depression - Schizophrenia - Pain Management - Severe Allergies - Hypoglycemia or Diabetes Reactions with medications used to treat these symptoms can range anywhere from blurred vision, to drowsiness, to severe nausea. ## **What Can I Do To Prevent Impairment While Driving?** There are a few steps you can take that will reduce your risk of feeling side effects while driving. - Adjust the dose of the medicine. If you can get away with taking a lower dose, or breaking up doses in to two parts, try it. - Adjust the timing. Take the medication after you’ve arrived at work, or after you’re done driving for the day. - Change the medication. Most medications that induce drowsiness can be switched out for a “non-drowsy” formula. Alternatively, you can switch to a brand has a different active ingredient. - Monitor yourself. People react to medications differently; what causes drowsiness in one person may cause excitability in another. Notice the way you feel after taking certain OTC medications. If you feel notably impaired, ask your pharmacist to recommend something else. If you are taking over the counter medications, be sure to read the Drug Facts label thoroughly for any side effects the drug may cause. If you would like to learn more about the medication you are taking, you can visit [fda.gov/drugs](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/fdas-labeling-resources-human-prescription-drugs/patient-labeling-resources#medication-guides/) for a comprehensive list of medications, their side effects, and interactions. If you’ve been in an auto accident while taking medication, contact a personal injury attorney in Houston. Your attorney will work with medical experts to discern whether your medication was a factor in your accident. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. 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An accident, and the [![2 Children Dead, 3 Others Injured After 2-Vehicle Crash on I-45](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/2-children-dead-3-others-injured-after-2-vehicle-crash-on-i-45/) [2 Children Dead, 3 Others Injured After 2-Vehicle Crash on I-45](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/2-children-dead-3-others-injured-after-2-vehicle-crash-on-i-45/) A tragic car accident near Hardy Toll Road on I-45 claimed the lives of two children. The crash occurred in the 23400 [![Burnet Car Accident Statistics](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/burnet-car-accident-statistics/) [Burnet Car Accident Statistics](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/burnet-car-accident-statistics/) Car accidents are common in a populous state like Texas. Even in smaller cities like Burnet, which has a [![These Are the 6 Deadliest Highways in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/These-Are-The-6-Deadliest-Highways-in-Texas-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/these-are-the-6-deadliest-highways-in-texas/) [These Are the 6 Deadliest Highways in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/these-are-the-6-deadliest-highways-in-texas/) If you ask your friends, family, and neighbors, they may tell you that they live or drive down the deadliest roads in --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/counter-medication-can-affect-driving/