A new study shows an over-the-counter allergy medication may impair a person’s driving just as much as driving drunk.
The test
The University of Iowa set out to compare the effects of an antihistamine on driving abilities. Those that volunteered for the study were given one of four things: a benadryl, an allegra, alcohol, or a placebo.
All of the volunteers were put in the Iowa Driving Simulator, where researchers found surprising results.
The results
Patients taking benadryl drove the worst on the simulated driving test, while those that were drinking came in second. Those taking Allegra and the placebo were not impaired and their driving abilities were far better than those taking benadryl or drinking.
“First-generation antihistamines, such as benadryl, are known to affect driving performance. However, we were surprised to find that this antihistamine has more impact on driving performance than alcohol does,” said John M. Weiler, M.D., UI professor of internal medicine and the study’s lead author. “In contrast, we found that fexofenadine, or Allegra, a second-generation antihistamine, did not impair driving performance.”
Weiler went on to say, “Subjects had greater trouble steering and crossed the centerline more frequently after alcohol and benadyrl use. However, they did not experience such impairment after taking allegra.”
About allergies
According to Asthma and Allergy Foundation, about 60 million people suffer from asthma or allergies which is about one in four people.
“As an allergy sufferer I feel like I am constantly taking pills, but that seems to be the only way to deal with the symptoms,” Georgia Frister said. “It’s just something I put up with.”
There is no cure for allergies, but they can be managed by medications for most people.
Allergies are the 5th leading cause of chronic disease in the country with many people landing in the indoor/outdoor allergy category. This group of people is allergic to cat dander, pollen, mold, and dust.
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