Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications Tool Kit ... - Home

HOW DO THESE MEDICATIONS AFFECT YOU?
• Many medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, can cause drowsiness
(sleepiness) and/or impaired your ability to drive.
• Medicines affects each person differently.
• Before driving, be sure medicines YOU take do not impair the way you do your job.
• Medications that cause drowsiness or impaired ability to drive are shown below. These
medications are just some of the common ones. However, not all medications that make
you sleepy or impair your ability to drive are listed.
• Be sure that you read the label of all medications you take to see if they can cause
drowsiness.
• Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if the medication you take can
impair the way you do your job.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications That May Cause Drowsiness or Impair
Your Ability to Drive
Allergy Medication (Antihistamines)*
• Benadryl® (diphenyhydramine)
• Chlor-Trimeton ® (chlorpheniramine)
• Tavist ® (Clemastine)
• Combination cold products that contain any antihistamine as an ingredient
Diarrhea Medication
• Imodium AD® (loperamide)
Motion Sickness Medication
• Bonine® (meclizine)
• Dramamine® (dimenhydrinate)
Medications for Sleep
• Unisom® (doxylamine)
• Nytol® and Sominex® (diphenhydramine)
• Tylenol PM® and Excedrin PM® (diphenhydramine)
NOTE: Even if taken at bedtime, these medications can cause sleepiness the next day.
Herbal Medications
• Kava Kava
• St. John’s Wart
• Valerian
NOTE: There are many products with these medicines in them. They are used in combination with
other herbal products.
• Caution: Some OTC cough and cold medications contain alcohol