After the restrictions imposed by the pandemic in recent years, we can finally celebrate properly again this year. But what if you need to take medication? Everyone knows that you shouldn’t drive while drunk, but how do medications affect driving ability? And what happens when you take both alcohol and medication? “Medication and alcohol can both have a significant impact on driving ability and should not be taken at the same time,” warns Ursula Funke, President of the Hessian Chamber of Pharmacists.

Some medications can impair cognition, reaction speed, concentration, or judgment. The specific effects depend on the type of active ingredient and when it is taken. There are also individual factors such as age, gender, physique, weight, existing illnesses and the simultaneous use of other medications or other substances such as alcohol or drugs.

alcohol and medication

Alcohol and medicines can reinforce each other’s effects. For example, alcohol can dangerously increase the actually desired effect of tranquilizers. Undesirable side effects of medication can also be intensified by alcohol. This can greatly reduce reaction time and judgment. Possible cardiovascular problems can increase. Conversely, medication can increase alcohol-induced nausea and dizziness. It is therefore generally not advisable to take them at the same time, not just for road safety.

Sleeping pills work

If you can’t fall asleep in the evening, you might want to avoid taking a sleeping pill immediately and toss and turn in bed for hours at first. If you take a sleeping pill after midnight and get up early the next morning, the sleeping pill will still have an effect because the sleep time was too short. In this case you should leave the car behind and use public transport.

Medication for hay fever

The pollen of early bloomers such as hazel and alder are already flying at carnival time. Some tablets with antihistamines against allergic reactions make you tired and impair your ability to drive. Caution should also be exercised with eye drops and nasal sprays. The good news: There are a variety of medications to make life easier for those affected, and some active ingredients do not affect the ability to drive. Get advice on this from the local pharmacy, even if you have to operate machines in your job.

Fatigue from lowering blood pressure

Paradoxically, many patients who start therapy for high blood pressure initially feel tired and exhausted. This is a sign that the medicine is working and your blood pressure is falling. The body first has to get used to the lower blood pressure. Therapy should not be stopped at this point. Well-being returns after a few weeks. However, in the initial phase, driving the car should be left to others as long as the exhaustion persists.

Reason also when celebrating

To keep the party fun from ending badly, those who plan to drive afterwards and those on medication should avoid alcohol. There is also a large selection of non-alcoholic drinks, and even non-alcoholic cocktails are often offered today. Anyone who is dependent on medicines in everyday life should pay attention to their own feelings, and if they notice tiredness, problems concentrating or similar side effects, it is better to leave the car at home. If you are unsure about the effects of your medication on your ability to drive, please speak to the team at the local pharmacy.

Around 6,500 pharmacists belong to the Hessen Chamber of Pharmacists. The medical profession of pharmacist is subject to a statutory mandate. The tasks of the state chamber of pharmacists include the promotion of further and further training and the monitoring of compliance with professional duties by its members.