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Are you on the road to a car crash?

All medicines can have side effects. But did you know that some medicines might affect your ability to drive safely? That might be the case if they slow your reactions—or make you sleepy, dizzy or less alert. And the more medicines you take, the greater your chances of having a problem.

CAUTION: Are your medicines road-safe?

These medications might affect your driving:

Allergy meds.
Antidepressants.
Anxiety meds.
Heart meds.
Mood-stabilizing meds.
Muscle relaxants.
Opioids.
Sleep aids.

If you take any of these, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safe for you to get behind the wheel.

Reviewed 5/16/2025

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Medications Can Be Linked to Injuries as We Age." https://www.cdc.gov/older-adult-drivers/media/pdfs/Medicine-Fact-Sheet.pdf.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Some Medicines and Driving Don't Mix." https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/some-medicines-and-driving-dont-mix.