From Geriatric Pharmacy Intern Wendy Johnson, PharmD(c)
University of Florida College of Pharmacy
Researchers from the Center for Injury Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have found older drivers are unaware of the dangers of driving while taking certain medications. In fact the findings indicate only 1 in 3 seniors know if their medications may impair their ability to drive.
In the study, data was collected from 630 participants between the ages 56 to 93. Of these only 18% were aware of the dangers associated with operating a motor vehicle after taking their prescribed medicine. This is especially alarming since this age group is most likely to have multiple medical conditions requiring many medications, compounding the potential for danger.
With this information uncovered, the problem now exists of how to ensure these patients are properly educated about the risk factors and side effects of their medications. The lead research scientist for this study Paul MacLennan, Ph.D., believes there is a need for increased education geared at older drivers, their families and health professionals." In addition this assistant professor of surgery at UAB beholds, health-care professionals need to take a more active role in educating their patients.
Potential driver-impairing medications or PDI's as their commonly referred include drug classes such as ACE inhibitors, sedatives and beta-blockers. ACE inhibitors are used for controlling blood pressure, treating heart failure, preventing strokes, and preventing kidney damage in people with hypertension or diabetes. The following is a list of the ACE inhibitors currently on the market: benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) moexipril (Univasc), and perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), trandolapril (Mavik). Beta blockers are generally used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, chest pain, and to prevent further heart attacks. Beta blockers include but are not limited to acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol fumarate (Zebeta), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and timolol (Blocadren). It should be noted the beta blockers considered PDI's do not include preparations for the eye used to treat glaucoma. Sedatives are drugs that are used to reduce excitability or calm individuals, and are oftentimes used to treat insomnia. Sedatives include medications such as estazolam (ProSom), temazepam (Restoril),
flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), zaleplon (Sonata), zolpidem (Ambien), and eszopiclone (Lunesta). If you are currently taking any of the medications mentioned above, or are unaware of the side effects of the medications you have been prescribed, talk to your
health care professional for more information.
University of Florida College of Pharmacy
Researchers from the Center for Injury Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have found older drivers are unaware of the dangers of driving while taking certain medications. In fact the findings indicate only 1 in 3 seniors know if their medications may impair their ability to drive.
In the study, data was collected from 630 participants between the ages 56 to 93. Of these only 18% were aware of the dangers associated with operating a motor vehicle after taking their prescribed medicine. This is especially alarming since this age group is most likely to have multiple medical conditions requiring many medications, compounding the potential for danger.
With this information uncovered, the problem now exists of how to ensure these patients are properly educated about the risk factors and side effects of their medications. The lead research scientist for this study Paul MacLennan, Ph.D., believes there is a need for increased education geared at older drivers, their families and health professionals." In addition this assistant professor of surgery at UAB beholds, health-care professionals need to take a more active role in educating their patients.
Potential driver-impairing medications or PDI's as their commonly referred include drug classes such as ACE inhibitors, sedatives and beta-blockers. ACE inhibitors are used for controlling blood pressure, treating heart failure, preventing strokes, and preventing kidney damage in people with hypertension or diabetes. The following is a list of the ACE inhibitors currently on the market: benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) moexipril (Univasc), and perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), trandolapril (Mavik). Beta blockers are generally used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, chest pain, and to prevent further heart attacks. Beta blockers include but are not limited to acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol fumarate (Zebeta), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and timolol (Blocadren). It should be noted the beta blockers considered PDI's do not include preparations for the eye used to treat glaucoma. Sedatives are drugs that are used to reduce excitability or calm individuals, and are oftentimes used to treat insomnia. Sedatives include medications such as estazolam (ProSom), temazepam (Restoril),
flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), zaleplon (Sonata), zolpidem (Ambien), and eszopiclone (Lunesta). If you are currently taking any of the medications mentioned above, or are unaware of the side effects of the medications you have been prescribed, talk to your health care professional for more information.