ISSN : 2663-2187

DRUG-INDUCED DRIVING IMPAIRMENT IN OLDER ADULTS

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Siddhartha Lolla, KasireddyNavaneethReddy, Sakkarlawar Pradeep, Dhadi Mohan Saketh, Bommagani Pavan Kumar, Kandukuri Ashritha
» doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.12.2024.316-323

Abstract

At any age, several prescription drugs can impair a person's ability to drive. There are currently over 6000 FDA -approved medications in the market. There are number of drugs in market both as OTC as well as prescription which can influence the driving performance and is a growing public health concern. Benzodiazepines are linked to a 60 to 80% rise in the risk of car accidents when taken with alcohol. The increased risk of car accident is linked to people over the age of 65. The purpose of this study was conducted to know several classes of medication like stimulants, cannabis, antihistamines, alcohol, opiates and cannabis association with objective indicators of unsafe driving. Drugs and alcohol have been associated with a high crash risk in older people. Driving under influence of drug/alcohol caused 3.5% (5,405 deaths), 1.9% (2935 deaths) in India in 2022 and India is called as the “Road accident capital of world”. There is a significant frequency of polypharmacy in this age group, and older adults are more likely to experience medication-related driving impairment and this can affect anyone regardless of age. Higher risk of MVC and lower ability to drive have been linked to a number of drugs and it is important for the Pharmacists to play a crucial role in assessing how drugs affect driving and other motor abilities and informing patients about the hazards.

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