Posted in Car Accident on May 25, 2013
Common psychotropic drugs that are used to treat conditions like anxiety, insomnia and depression can increase a person’s risk of being involved in a car accident. These psychotropic medications are used by millions of people around the country who suffer from common conditions like depression. New research suggests that the side effects from these medications could increase a person’s accident risks. .
The side effects of several psychotropic drugs have gone neglected, even while there has been plenty of attention focused on the side effects of using drugs like antipsychotics and antidepressants. Psychotropic drugs like Sonata and Ambien are also known as Z-drugs, because so many of the ingredients they contain begin with the letter Z. Studies have found that these drugs impair a person’s ability to drive and control a vehicle. That increases a person’s car accident risks.
The researchers recently analyzed the effects of these drugs on users, and published the results of the study in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. A group of 5,183 people who had been involved in car accidents comprised the first group, and a group of 31,093 people who had no accidents formed the 2nd group. The researchers found that overall, the persons who had been involved in accidents were much more likely to have taken the psychotropic drugs, than those who had not been involved in any accident. The research also found that high doses of these drugs lead to heavier accident risks.
The researchers advise doctors and pharmacists to choose other medications to treat these conditions. If that is not possible, then patients must be advised about the driving risks that may arise after they have taken these medications. This is especially important in the case of psychotropic drugs, because there’s very little public knowledge about the risks of such medications. Learn more at: www.zanerhardenlaw.com.
