2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

Chapter 29: Prescription and Over-The-Counter DrugsBACKGROUND29.1 About psychotropic drugsIt is increasingly clear that psychotropic (capable of affecting the mind, emotions, or behaviour)drugs contribute to impairment in driving performance. In a European Union study from 1993, itwas estimated that approximately 10% of all people killed or injured in crashes were takingpsychotropic medication, which might have been a contributory factor in the crashes.This chapter focuses on drugs that are commonly prescribed or used to treat medical conditions,and that are known to have psychotropic effects or potential side effects that could impairfunctional ability to drive. Illicit drugs are not considered in this chapter.Opioids (narcotics)Opioids are derived from natural opium or a synthetically produced equivalent and are usedprimarily for moderate to severe pain relief. Opioid drugs include the following: codeine fentanyl [Duragesic®] morphine [MS-Contin®, M-Eslon®] meperidine [Demerol®] methadone pentazocine [Talwin®] hydromorphone [Dilaudid®, Hydromorph Contin®] oxycodone [Percodan®, Percocet®, Endocet®, Supeudol®, OxyNeo®], and hydrocodone [Hycodan®]AntidepressantsAntidepressants are used in the treatment of major depression and a variety of other conditionssuch as chronic pain, anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, eating disorders, and personalitydisorders. Classes of antidepressants and examples of drugs from each class are listed in thetable below..353