DVLA officials may tell drivers to “avoid driving” if they take any of these medicines, according to Greg Wilson
DVLA may order drivers on three types of medication to ‘avoid driving’
The DVLA could force drivers on THREE popular medications to halt driving. DVLA officials may tell drivers to “avoid driving” if they take any of these medicines, according to Greg Wilson, founder of car insurance experts Quotezone.co.uk.
Mr Wilson warned individuals on “strong medications” could be at risk as motorists could have their driving licences taken away – from opioid painkillers to tranquillisers, and “certain antidepressants” too. There are concerns that some medications cause “drowsiness”.
Greg said: “If you are on strong medications, it is likely that you will be recommended to avoid driving. Opioid painkillers, tranquillisers, and certain antidepressants are examples of medicines that can affect driving ability – as well as those that cause drowsiness or say ‘do not operate heavy machinery.”
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What makes opioid medicines effective for treating pain also can make them dangerous.
At lower doses, opioids may make you feel sleepy. But higher doses can slow your breathing and heart rate, which can lead to death.
And the pleasure or feeling high that results from taking an opioid can make you want to continue taking them more often and at higher doses.
This can lead to addiction: Your brain and behavior are so badly affected that you no longer can control your use of opioids.
You can reduce your risk of dangerous side effects by following your doctor’s instructions carefully and taking your medicine as prescribed. #
Make sure your doctor knows all of the other medicines and supplements you’re taking.
Talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of using opioids for pain relief.
Ask about taking a different type of pain medicine or using another method of pain control if you feel that you’re at higher risk of addiction.
Opioids can be made from the poppy plant — for example, morphine (Duramorph, MS Contin, others). Or opioids can be made in a laboratory — for example, fentanyl (Actiq and Fentora). Other opioids that may sound familiar include codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxybond, others). But there are many more.