This thesis presents an evaluation of the performance impairing effects of drugs within two widely used classes, i.e. hypnotics and antihistamines. Epidemiological studies on the accident risks associated with the use hypnotics are reviewed and results from experimental studies assessing residual effects of hypnotics are summarized. Next, six experimental studies are presented: three assessing the residual effects of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, and three studies assessing the impairing effects of antihistamines. Alcohol is used in a number of studies as a comparator drug to establish the relevance of the drug effects on driving. It is also used in combination with antihistamines to evaluate their interaction, since many patients using these drugs occasionally drink and drive. Together these studies show that hypnotics and antihistamines can impair cognitive functions and driving performance. Severity of the effect depends on the drug, dose, time after dosing, duration of treatment and sensitivity of the patient. The use of standardized tests and similar methods enables the comparison of drug effects between studies, thus providing information needed by patients and prescribing physicians. (Author/publisher)
Abstract