Getting a DUI From Over-The-Counter Or Prescription Drugs

Most everyone knows that you can be charged with- Dizziness
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) when driving under theThese medications should only be taken at night or
influence of alcohol or illegal controlled substances suchwhen you know you will not be driving. Even
as marijuana or methamphetamines however it is lessmedications that are advertised as non-drowsy
well known that use of common over-the-counter andformulas such as Claritin can, in rare instances, cause
prescription medications could also result in a DUI. In thedizziness and vertigo.
midst of flu season and with hay fever season justPain medications - Side effects of common pain
around the corner it is good time to remind drivers thatmedications such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Tylenol) and
commonly prescribed or over-the-counter medicationsNaproxen (Aleve) can include:
can have just as great an impact on your driving- Dizziness
abilities as alcohol. Driving under the influence means- Drowsiness
just that; any drug, legal or illegal, that causes sideTranquilizers/Sedatives/Anti-depressants - Even
effects such as dizziness, incoherence, drowsiness,though prescribed, these drugs present a danger to
and loss of muscle coordination, can impair your drivingdrivers who use them. 10 mg. of Valium causes
to the point that you could possibly be charged witheffects that are roughly equal to a blood alcohol
DUI.content of 0.10 (0.08 is legally drunk in all states). The
Since the officer on the scene can't possibly test forpopular sleep medication Ambien has caused users to
every type of drug, the officer's basic responsibility isdrive and perform other tasks with no memory of
to determine whether or not the driver has thethose actions after the effects of the drug have worn
physical capabilities to safely control a motor vehicle. If,off.
in the opinion of the officer, the driver is impaired forOther Drugs - Medications for blood pressure,
whatever reason, the officer will make an arrest forcholesterol, diabetes and ulcers can also cause
DUI and let the courts sort out the details later on. Thedrowsiness and dizziness in some instances.
impact on the driver can be disastrous.All of these drugs serve a legitimate medical purpose
It isn't possible to list all the drugs in one article but a listand, in most instances, have little adverse effect on the
of some of the most commonly used drugs and theiruser but, even though a drug has not had an adverse
side effects may alert you to the dangers involved.effect in the past, the severity of a condition and other
Cold/allergy medications - Side effects of cold andfactors may combine to cause a severe impact on a
allergy medications such as Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton,driver. Medications combined with even a small amount
and Dimetapp can cause:of alcohol can have a dramatic effect. When taking a
- Drowsinessnew medication, ask your doctor to explain the side
- Inability to concentrateeffects and wait until you know how the drug will
- Disturbed coordinationaffect you before you attempt to drive.
- Increased anxiety