Fitness to drive and accessibility
Medicines and driving: how to tell if a medicine may affect you
Read the patient information leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist: drowsiness, dizziness and slowed reactions can make driving unsafe.
Some medicines can affect attention, reflexes or vision. Check the current patient information leaflet and speak to a healthcare professional, especially when starting treatment or after a dose change; do not drive if you feel impaired.
Check the medicine information
A medicine can cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion or slower reflexes, even if it was prescribed or bought without a prescription. Effects depend on the active ingredient, dose, timing and individual response. Read the leaflet for the specific product and look for sections on driving and using machinery; do not rely on your memory of a similar medicine or an earlier pack.
If the leaflet warns that the medicine may affect your ability to drive, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to interpret the warning in your case and whether you need to avoid driving at particular times. Do not stop or change your treatment so that you can drive without first speaking to the healthcare professional looking after you. You can consult authorised leaflets in the AIFA Medicines Database, checking the exact name and dosage.
Take particular care when taking a medicine for the first time, after a dose increase or when combining several medicines. Alcohol and lack of sleep can make impairment worse. If you feel drowsy, confused or poorly coordinated, do not drive: arrange a lift or taxi, and contact a healthcare professional if the effect is unexpected or concerning.
- Read the current leaflet for the specific medicine.
- Ask a doctor or pharmacist if the warning is unclear.
- Take particular care when starting treatment and after dose changes.
- Do not drive if you feel drowsy, dizzy or impaired; do not change your treatment on your own.
A check before setting off
Before driving, ask yourself whether the treatment is new, whether you have had enough sleep and whether you feel anything that might reduce your alertness. If so, postpone the journey and seek advice. A medicine that causes no problems at home may act differently when combined with other products or an illness.
Keep an up-to-date list of your medicines and show it to your doctor or pharmacist when asking about driving. The information on the pack is a starting point, not an individual assessment.
To study the theory on driver requirements,Quiz Patente Ufficiale offers chapters, timed quizzes and a review of mistakes; ask a doctor or pharmacist about questions concerning medicines.
Frequently asked questions
Can an over-the-counter medicine affect driving?
Yes. Medicines available without a prescription can also cause side effects that impair attention and reflexes. Read the leaflet and ask a pharmacist for advice.
If the leaflet does not say “do not drive”, am I definitely fit to drive?
Not necessarily. Consider how you feel, any other medicines and your state of health. If in doubt, do not drive until a doctor or pharmacist has advised you.